Acts 2:46

An Exegetical Analysis of Acts 2:46: The Nature of Early Christian Communal Practices

This exegetical study of An Exegetical Analysis of Acts 2:46: The Nature of Early Christian Communal Practices is based on a b-greek discussion from May 14, 2003. The initial inquiry questioned whether the phrase καθ’ ἡμέραν in Acts 2:46 refers to a ‘daily meal’ and whether ‘daily’ is an accurate translation. Furthermore, the discussion sought to clarify if the mention of ‘breaking bread’ (κλῶντες ἄρτον) and ‘taking food’ (μετελάμβανον τροφῆς) implied a common meal shared among a group of disciples, extending beyond a mere family meal.

The central exegetical issue revolves around interpreting the precise nature and frequency of the early Christian community’s communal gatherings and meals as described in Acts 2:46. Specifically, it concerns the distributive force of καθ’ ἡμέραν and κατ’ οἶκον, and whether μετελάμβανον τροφῆς denotes a substantial, regular meal distinct from, or inclusive of, the Lord’s Supper celebration. The ambiguity lies in distinguishing the various facets of early Christian fellowship and sustenance.

Greek text (Nestle 1904)

καθ’ ἡμέραν τε προσκαρτεροῦντες ὁμοθυμαδὸν ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ, κλῶντές τε κατ’ οἶκον ἄρτον, μετελάμβανον τροφῆς ἐν ἀγαλλιάσει καὶ ἀφελότητι καρδίας.

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• SBLGNT (2010) omits the comma after ἄρτον, presenting κλῶντές τε κατ’ οἶκον ἄρτον μετελάμβανον τροφῆς as a more tightly connected phrase. This is a minor punctuation difference and does not alter the lexical or grammatical meaning.

Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes

A review of the NA28 apparatus for Acts 2:46 reveals no significant textual variants that would alter the interpretation of the key terms relevant to this exegesis. The text is well-attested across major manuscript traditions.

Lexical Notes:

• καθ’ ἡμέραν (κατά + ἡμέρα): The preposition κατά in this context functions distributively, indicating ‘day after day’ or ‘daily’ (BDAG, s.v. κατά, A.I.1.e.β). This clarifies the frequency of the actions described.
• προσκαρτεροῦντες: The present participle of προσκαρτερέω signifies ‘to continue in something,’ ‘to devote oneself to,’ or ‘to persist’ (BDAG, s.v. προσκαρτερέω). It denotes sustained engagement.
• ὁμοθυμαδὸν: This adverb means ‘with one mind,’ ‘with one accord,’ or ‘unanimously’ (BDAG, s.v. ὁμοθυμαδόν). It emphasizes the unity and concord of the community.
• κλῶντες… ἄρτον: The participle of κλάω (‘to break’) combined with ἄρτον (‘bread’) can refer to a general meal or specifically to the Lord’s Supper. In the broader context of Acts, ‘breaking bread’ often implies a communal meal (BDAG, s.v. κλάω).
• κατ’ οἶκον: Similar to καθ’ ἡμέραν, κατά here is distributive, meaning ‘from house to house’ or ‘in various homes’ (BDAG, s.v. κατά, A.I.1.e.δ). This indicates the decentralized nature of these gatherings.
• μετελάμβανον τροφῆς: The imperfect tense of μεταλαμβάνω (‘to take a share of,’ ‘to partake of’) with the genitive τροφῆς (‘food,’ ‘nourishment’) implies a continuous or repeated act of partaking in physical sustenance (BDAG, s.v. μεταλαμβάνω; BDAG, s.v. τροφή). This strongly suggests substantial meals.
• ἐν ἀγαλλιάσει καὶ ἀφελότητι καρδίας: This phrase describes the disposition of the believers: ‘with exultation/joyous celebration’ (BDAG, s.v. ἀγαλλίασις) and ‘with simplicity/sincerity of heart’ (BDAG, s.v. ἀφελότης).

Translation Variants with Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis

The grammatical structure of Acts 2:46 employs participles (προσκαρτεροῦντες, κλῶντες, μετελάμβανον functioning as a periphrastic imperfect) to describe continuous and parallel actions of the early believers. The parallelism of καθ’ ἡμέραν ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ (daily in the temple) and κλῶντές τε κατ’ οἶκον ἄρτον, μετελάμβανον τροφῆς (breaking bread from house to house, partaking of food) is crucial. This structure suggests two distinct yet complementary spheres of activity: public worship in the temple and private, communal life in homes. The use of τε (‘and’) links these activities as integral components of their daily life.

The prepositional phrases καθ’ ἡμέραν and κατ’ οἶκον both utilize the distributive force of κατά. καθ’ ἡμέραν unequivocally translates as ‘daily,’ indicating the consistent frequency of their activities. Similarly, κατ’ οἶκον means ‘from house to house’ or ‘in various homes,’ emphasizing the widespread and decentralized nature of their gatherings for meals. These are not merely symbolic gestures but widespread, regular practices.

The phrase κλῶντες ἄρτον (‘breaking bread’) is a significant point of interpretive debate. While it can denote the Eucharist (cf. Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 10:16), its immediate context in Acts 2:46—paired with μετελάμβανον τροφῆς ἐν ἀγαλλιάσει καὶ ἀφελότητι καρδίας (‘partaking of food with gladness and sincerity of heart’)—strongly suggests a broader interpretation encompassing regular, substantial communal meals. The imperfect tense of μετελάμβανον implies a sustained or repeated activity, reinforcing the idea of ongoing shared sustenance. The query in the original discussion regarding whether “metelambanon trofhs refers to a common meal that is more sustaining than the celebration of the Lord’s table” aligns with scholarly consensus. While the Eucharist may have been integrated into these meals, the primary emphasis here appears to be on shared physical nourishment and robust fellowship, as indicated by the joy (ἀγαλλιάσει) and sincerity (ἀφελότητι καρδίας) accompanying their partaking of food. Thus, the passage describes not just ritual observance but the practical, daily life of a unified community.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

The exegetical analysis of Acts 2:46 confirms that the early Christian community engaged in daily activities of both public worship and private fellowship. The phrase καθ’ ἡμέραν unambiguously signifies ‘daily,’ and the combination of κλῶντες ἄρτον and μετελάμβανον τροφῆς, especially within the context of κατ’ οἶκον gatherings, refers to regular, substantive communal meals shared among believers in different homes. These meals were not solely symbolic but provided physical nourishment and fostered deep fellowship, often infused with joy and sincerity. The passage portrays a vibrant community where spiritual devotion and practical mutual support were inextricably linked.

Based on this analysis, the following translation suggestions capture the nuances of the original Greek:

1. “And day after day, they continued with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were partaking of food with gladness and sincerity of heart.”
   This translation emphasizes the continuous and daily nature of both their public temple attendance and their private, decentralized communal meals.
2. “Daily they persevered together in the temple, and in their homes they broke bread, receiving sustenance with joyful and sincere hearts.”
   This version highlights the distinct locations of their activities (temple vs. homes) and uses ‘receiving sustenance’ to clearly convey the practical aspect of taking nourishment.
3. “They devoted themselves daily to gathering in the temple with one purpose, and breaking bread in various homes, they shared meals with glad and open hearts.”
   This option uses more dynamic equivalents for ‘devoted themselves,’ ‘with one purpose,’ ‘various homes,’ ‘shared meals,’ and ‘open hearts’ to convey the sense of communal sharing and genuine disposition.