Acts 2:47

KJV

Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

KJV (with Strong's)

Praising {G134} God {G2316}, and {G2532} having {G2192} favour {G5485} with {G4314} all {G3650} the people {G2992}. And {G1161} the Lord {G2962} added {G4369} to the church {G1577} daily {G2596}{G2250} such as should be saved {G4982}.

Complete Jewish Bible

praising God and having the respect of all the people. And day after day the Lord kept adding to them those who were being saved.

Berean Standard Bible

praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

American Standard Version

praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 2:47 serves as a powerful summary of the early church's vibrant life in Jerusalem, encapsulating their fervent devotion, the divine favor they experienced among the populace, and the miraculous, continuous growth orchestrated by God Himself. This verse highlights a community deeply committed to worship and fellowship, whose authentic expression of faith not only garnered widespread respect but also became the fertile ground for the Lord's daily expansion of His redeemed people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 2:47 concludes the pivotal narrative of the Day of Pentecost and its immediate aftermath, beginning with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in [Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1-4 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit"). Following Peter's transformative sermon and the baptism of approximately three thousand new believers in [Acts 2:37-41](/acts/2-37-41 "Acts 2:37-41 - Peter's Sermon and Three Thousand Converted"), the preceding verses ([Acts 2:42-46](/acts/2-42-46 "Acts 2:42-46 - The Fellowship of the Believers")) vividly describe the communal life of these first Christians. They were characterized by their steadfast devotion to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer, alongside sharing their possessions and meeting daily in the temple courts and in homes. Acts 2:47 functions as the culminating outcome of this Spirit-empowered, communal living, demonstrating the visible fruit of their faith and the divine blessing upon their nascent community, setting the stage for the church's continued expansion throughout the book of Acts.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem, a city steeped in Jewish religious tradition, recently shaken by the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, and now witnessing the dramatic events of Pentecost. The early believers were primarily Jewish, many of whom had just experienced a profound spiritual conversion. Their daily gatherings in the temple courts (a public space) and in private homes (for more intimate fellowship and breaking of bread) were significant. "Having favour with all the people" suggests a remarkable initial acceptance and goodwill from the broader Jewish populace, likely due to their evident unity, love, and the "many wonders and signs" performed by the apostles ([Acts 2:43](/acts/2-43 "Acts 2:43 - Wonders and Signs")). This favor was crucial in a society where new religious movements could easily be met with suspicion or hostility, providing a window of opportunity for the Gospel to spread before widespread persecution intensified.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Acts and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it underscores the **Divine Sovereignty in Church Growth and Salvation**, emphasizing that "the Lord added" to the church, rather than human effort alone. This highlights God's active role in drawing people to Himself, a theme echoed in Jesus's words in [John 6:44](/john/6-44 "John 6:44 - No One Can Come Unless Drawn by the Father"). Secondly, it showcases the **Importance of Corporate Worship and Praise**, as the believers were "Praising God," indicating that worship was a central, continuous, and public expression of their faith. Thirdly, the theme of **Authentic Christian Community and its Societal Impact** is prominent; their genuine love and unity earned them "favour with all the people," demonstrating how a Spirit-filled community can be a powerful witness. Finally, the phrase "daily such as should be saved" points to the **Ongoing Nature of Salvation and Evangelism**, portraying salvation not as a static event but as a continuous process of God bringing new individuals into His family.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Praising (Greek, _ainéō_):** This word signifies to laud, to extol, or to worship, specifically directed towards God. Its use here indicates that the early believers' worship was not merely internal but an active, outward expression of gratitude and adoration. It suggests a continuous state of worship, reflecting their profound joy and recognition of God's mighty acts, particularly the resurrection of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This praise was a public testimony to their faith and a distinguishing characteristic of their community.
* **church (Greek, _ekklēsía_):** Derived from a compound meaning "a calling out," _ekklēsía_ refers to a popular assembly or, in a religious context, a congregation. Here, it denotes the Christian community, the assembly of believers "called out" by God from the world to belong to Him. This term emphasizes the divine initiative in forming this body and its distinct identity as God's chosen people, set apart for His purposes. The Lord was adding to this specific, divinely constituted assembly.
* **saved (Greek, _sṓzō_):** This verb means to save, deliver, protect, heal, or make whole. In the context of Acts 2:47, it refers to spiritual salvation—deliverance from sin and its consequences through faith in Jesus Christ. The Greek participle used here, _tous sōzomenous_, is a present passive participle, meaning "those who were _being_ saved" or "the ones _being_ delivered." This grammatical nuance suggests an ongoing process of salvation and inclusion into the community of believers, highlighting that conversion was a continuous, daily reality, not a one-time historical event that ceased after Pentecost.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Praising God,"**: This clause describes the primary activity and spiritual posture of the early Christian community. Their lives were marked by continuous, fervent worship and adoration directed towards God, reflecting their deep gratitude for His redemptive work and the recent outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This praise was likely public and communal, contributing to their visibility and distinctiveness.
* **"and having favour with all the people."**: This indicates the positive social standing and widespread goodwill the early believers enjoyed among the general populace in Jerusalem. Their exemplary conduct, unity, and the miraculous signs performed among them (as noted in [Acts 2:43](/acts/2-43 "Acts 2:43 - Wonders and Signs")) earned them respect and acceptance, suggesting a divine blessing on their witness and mission, which facilitated the spread of the Gospel.
* **"And the Lord added to the church daily"**: This crucial phrase highlights the divine initiative and agency in the growth of the church. It was not merely human evangelistic efforts or persuasive sermons, but "the Lord" (referring to God, often specifically Jesus Christ, acting through the Holy Spirit) who was actively and supernaturally bringing people into the community of believers. The word "daily" underscores the continuous, persistent nature of this divine work, indicating a steady stream of new converts.
* **"such as should be saved."**: This final clause specifies the nature of those being added: individuals who were experiencing salvation. The Greek construction ("those who were being saved") implies an ongoing process of coming to faith and being integrated into the body of Christ. It emphasizes that the additions were not merely numerical but spiritual, consisting of those whom God was drawing into a saving relationship with Himself.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 2:47 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The phrase "favour with **all the people**" can be understood as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Generalization**, emphasizing the widespread nature of the goodwill the early church enjoyed, rather than implying absolute universal approval. This exaggeration underscores the remarkable impact of their Spirit-filled lives. The use of "the Lord added" implies a **Divine Passive**, where the action is attributed directly to God, highlighting His sovereign control over the church's growth and the salvation of individuals, rather than focusing on human agency. Furthermore, the repetition of "daily" emphasizes **Continuity** and **Progression**, illustrating the constant, unwavering work of God in expanding His kingdom. This daily addition also serves as a form of **Synecdoche**, where the part (each day's converts) represents the whole (the ongoing, miraculous growth of the church).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 2:47 profoundly illustrates the divine nature of the church and the sovereign work of God in salvation and growth. It underscores that the church is not a human institution built by human effort alone, but a divinely initiated and sustained community. The praise offered by the believers reflects the very purpose of their existence—to glorify God—while the favor they received demonstrates God's blessing upon their witness. Crucially, "the Lord added" highlights that salvation is ultimately God's work, a testament to His grace and power in drawing individuals to Himself and incorporating them into the body of Christ. This verse serves as a foundational statement on the organic, Spirit-led expansion of God's kingdom, where human faithfulness in worship and community life creates the environment for divine intervention and multiplication.

* [Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Christ Builds His Church")
* [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - The Church as God's Dwelling")
* [Philippians 2:12-13](/philippians/2-12-13 "Philippians 2:12-13 - God Works In Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 2:47 offers timeless principles for believers and the church today, calling us to a vibrant, God-centered faith that naturally draws others. The early church's consistent "Praising God" reminds us that authentic worship is not merely a Sunday activity but a lifestyle of gratitude and adoration that permeates all aspects of our lives. When our lives genuinely reflect the love and truth of Christ, marked by unity and good deeds, we, like the early believers, can earn "favour with all the people," opening doors for the Gospel in our communities. This verse also serves as a powerful reminder that true church growth is ultimately a divine work; while we are called to faithfully proclaim the Gospel and live out its principles, we must humbly depend on "the Lord" to add to His church. Our efforts are secondary to His sovereign power. The "daily" additions challenge us to maintain a continuous posture of evangelism and discipleship, recognizing that God is always at work, drawing people to Himself, and inviting us to participate in His ongoing mission of salvation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does our personal and corporate worship reflect the "praising God" of the early church, and how might we cultivate a more continuous spirit of adoration?**
* **In what practical ways can our Christian community demonstrate such love and unity that it earns "favour with all the people" in our contemporary context?**
* **How do we balance our responsibility to evangelize and make disciples with a humble reliance on "the Lord" to add to the church?**
* **What does the "daily" addition of "such as should be saved" imply about our ongoing mission and urgency in sharing the Gospel?**

### FAQ
**Who is "the Lord" in Acts 2:47, and what does His active role mean for church growth?**

Answer: In the context of Acts, "the Lord" (Greek: _Kyrios_) most often refers to Jesus Christ, particularly in His resurrected and exalted state, working through the Holy Spirit. While it can sometimes refer to God the Father, in passages describing the church's expansion and Christ's ongoing headship, it strongly points to Jesus. His active role means that church growth is fundamentally a divine initiative, not solely a result of human strategy, programs, or eloquence. It underscores the truth that salvation is God's work from beginning to end, as Jesus Himself stated, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him" ([John 6:44](/john/6-44 "John 6:44 - No One Can Come Unless Drawn by the Father")). Therefore, while believers are commanded to make disciples ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")), the actual conversion and addition of individuals to the church are ultimately God's sovereign acts, empowered by the Holy Spirit. This understanding fosters humility, prayerful dependence, and confidence in God's power to build His church ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Christ Builds His Church")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 2:47 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the ongoing work of Jesus as the Head of His Church. The "praising God" of the early believers was a direct response to the glorious resurrection and ascension of Christ, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which He promised and sent ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")). The "favour with all the people" was a manifestation of the grace and truth embodied by Christ, now reflected in His body, the church, demonstrating the attractive power of His kingdom. Most profoundly, "the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" reveals Jesus actively building His church, just as He promised in [Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Christ Builds His Church"). He is the Good Shepherd who gathers His sheep ([John 10:16](/john/10-16 "John 10:16 - The Good Shepherd")), the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and the one through whom all salvation comes ([Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation Through No Other Name")). The "saved" are those redeemed by His blood, made new creations in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")), and continually being conformed to His image by the Spirit ([Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Conformed to the Image of Christ")). Thus, Acts 2:47 is not merely a historical account but a living testament to the resurrected Christ's continuous, sovereign work in expanding His redemptive reign through His Spirit-empowered people.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 16:5

And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Acts 5:13

And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

Acts 5:14

And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

1 Corinthians 1:18

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Acts 2:39

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Acts 2:41

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls.

Romans 14:18

For he that in these things serveth Christ [is] acceptable to God, and approved of men.