Acts 4:33

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An Exegetical Analysis of Acts 4:33b: The Meaning of Χάρις and the Referent of Πάντας Αὐτούς

This exegetical study of “Acts 4:33b χάρις and αὐτούς” is based on a b-greek discussion from November 22, 2006. The initial query concerned the meaning of the term χάρις and the precise referent of the pronoun πάντας αὐτούς in Acts 4:33b. Various existing translations and commentaries offered divergent interpretations: for instance, one translation suggested “God greatly blessed them all,” while another noted “great favor was on them,” implying high esteem, with a possible referent to the apostles. These variations highlight a significant ambiguity in the text that warrants closer examination.

The main exegetical issue centers on two critical components of Acts 4:33b: first, the semantic range of χάρις, a multifaceted Greek term often translated as “grace” but capable of conveying a broader spectrum of meanings such as favor, gratitude, joy, or even divine empowerment. Second, the identification of the group designated by πάντας αὐτούς. Does this pronominal phrase refer exclusively to the apostles mentioned earlier in the verse (v. 33a), or does it encompass the entire community of believers referenced in the preceding verse (v. 32)? Resolving these ambiguities is crucial for an accurate understanding of Luke’s portrayal of the early Christian community and its relationship with both internal and external dynamics.

Greek text (Nestle 1904):

Καὶ μετὰ δυνάμεως μεγάλης ἀπεδίδουν τὸ μαρτύριον οἱ ἀπόστολοι τῆς ἀναστάσεως τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ, χάρις τε μεγάλη ἦν ἐπὶ πάντας αὐτούς.

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• For Acts 4:33b, the SBLGNT (2010) text is identical to the Nestle 1904 edition: χάρις τε μεγάλη ἦν ἐπὶ πάντας αὐτούς. There are no significant textual variants for this specific clause in these critical editions.

Textual Criticism and Lexical Notes

From a textual critical perspective (NA28), the clause χάρις τε μεγάλη ἦν ἐπὶ πάντας αὐτούς is stable, exhibiting no significant variants across major manuscripts. This indicates that the exegetical challenge lies not in establishing the original wording, but in interpreting its semantic and contextual implications.

Lexical analysis of χάρις reveals a complex semantic field. BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, Gingrich) categorizes χάρις in this passage under “a beneficent goodwill,” often referring to the favorable disposition of one person toward another, or a pleasant impression. Significantly, BDAG also notes a frequent semantic overlap with χαρά (joy) in ancient Greek literature, suggesting that in certain contexts, χάρις might imply a general state of happiness or joy. This is evident in the suggested interpretation that “everyone was happy (‘great joy was among all of them’).” The entry highlights its reciprocal nature, denoting both a favor given and the gratitude or good will received in response.

Building on this, KITTEL (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament) offers an extensive treatment of χάρις, tracing its usage from classical Greek, where it signified charm, attractiveness, favor, or gratitude, through its development in the Septuagint and New Testament. In the NT, χάρις often denotes divine favor or grace, a unmerited gift from God. However, it also retains its secular meanings, referring to human favor, esteem, or thankfulness. Kittel emphasizes that the specific nuance of χάρις in any given context is highly dependent on its immediate surroundings and the broader theological framework of the author. In Acts, alongside the theological sense of divine grace, χάρις frequently describes the positive estimation or goodwill extended by the public towards the apostles or the burgeoning Christian community (e.g., Acts 2:47, 7:10). The question arises whether this “great χάρις” on “all of them” is primarily an internal state, an external perception, or a divinely bestowed power.

Translation Variants with Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis

The clause χάρις τε μεγάλη ἦν ἐπὶ πάντας αὐτούς (“great χάρις was upon all of them”) presents two primary points of interpretive divergence:

1. The meaning of χάρις:

   Grammatically, χάρις is a nominative singular noun, modified by the adjective μεγάλη (“great”). The imperfect verb ἦν (“was”) indicates a continuous or ongoing state. Rhetorically, the choice of meaning for χάρις profoundly shapes the audience’s perception of the early Christian community:

   • External Esteem/Favor: This interpretation suggests that the community, through its conduct, garnered significant approval and goodwill from outsiders. This aligns with the reciprocal aspect of χάρις discussed by commentators, where the community’s behavior (e.g., shared possessions, powerful witness) elicited a positive response from the broader society. The phrase ἐπὶ πάντας αὐτούς (upon all of them) would then emphasize the public’s widespread positive sentiment. This view highlights the community’s effective public relations and the appeal of their way of life.
   • Internal Joy/Happiness: Drawing on the semantic overlap with χαρά, this interpretation suggests that “great joy was among all of them.” This emphasizes the internal spiritual state of the believers, a sense of collective well-being and happiness. Rhetorically, this would highlight the attractive communal life and spiritual fulfillment found within the early church, serving as an internal validation and an implicit draw for new members.
   • Divine Empowerment/Grace: Some interpretations suggest χάρις refers to a divine enablement, particularly in the context of the apostles’ powerful witness to the resurrection in the first part of the verse. This view sees χάρις as God’s empowering presence or gift, enabling the community to perform miracles and preach with authority, as seen elsewhere in Acts. Rhetorically, this underscores the supernatural dimension of the early church’s activities and divine endorsement of their mission. While χάρισμα (spiritual gift) is distinct, the broader concept of divine favor (χάρις) can encompass such empowerment.
2. The referent of πάντας αὐτούς:

   The phrase ἐπὶ πάντας αὐτούς (upon all of them) uses the preposition ἐπί with the accusative, denoting distribution or extension over a group. The challenge is to identify this group. Grammatically, pronouns typically refer to the most immediately preceding noun, which in v. 33a are “the apostles” (οἱ ἀπόστολοι). However, v. 32 refers to “the multitude of those who believed” (τοῦ πλήθους τῶν πιστευσάντων).

   • The Apostles: If πάντας αὐτούς refers solely to the apostles, it suggests that “great favor/esteem/empowerment was upon all the apostles.” This aligns with the context of their powerful witness in 4:33a and their central role in the early church. It would highlight their divine backing and public standing.
   • The Entire Community of Believers: If πάντας αὐτούς refers to the broader community mentioned in v. 32, it implies that this favor or joy was widespread, encompassing all who believed. Rhetorically, this paints a picture of a flourishing community, united and supported, either by divine favor, internal joy, or external goodwill. This interpretation tends to be favored by the textual flow, as Luke often transitions from specific actions of the apostles to the general state of the community (cf. Acts 2:47; 5:13).

   The rhetorical effect of Luke’s phrasing likely intends to connect the apostles’ powerful ministry with the overall well-being and positive reception of the broader community. The conjunction τε, often linking related but not identical ideas, supports the view that the great χάρις upon all the believers is a consequence or parallel aspect to the apostles’ powerful witness.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

The exegetical analysis of Acts 4:33b reveals the richness of the term χάρις and the strategic ambiguity of πάντας αὐτούς. While a definitive single meaning is challenging, the evidence strongly suggests that χάρις here encapsulates a blend of external public esteem, internal communal well-being, and divine favor that characterized the early church. The referent πάντας αὐτούς most plausibly extends beyond the apostles to include the entire community of believers, whose collective life and witness fostered this “great χάρις.” This interpretation aligns with Luke’s broader narrative in Acts, which consistently highlights both the divine empowerment of the apostles and the attractive, cohesive nature of the nascent Christian community.

Based on this analysis, the following translation suggestions capture different nuances while striving for accuracy:

1. “And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor rested upon all of them.”
   This translation emphasizes the external esteem and goodwill enjoyed by the entire community, building on the reciprocal aspect of χάρις.
2. “And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great blessing was on all of them.”
   This rendering highlights a divine dimension of favor or blessing, applicable to the whole body of believers, implying both internal spiritual well-being and external divine aid.
3. “And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and a deep sense of grace and goodwill pervaded them all.”
   This nuanced translation attempts to capture both the divine grace aspect and the resultant positive internal and external relationships within the community.

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