Acts 5:11

And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

And {G2532} great {G3173} fear {G5401} came {G1096} upon {G1909} all {G3650} the church {G1577}, and {G2532} upon {G1909} as many as {G3956} heard {G191} these things {G5023}.

As a result of this, great fear came over the whole Messianic community, and indeed over everyone who heard about it.

And great fear came over the whole church and all who heard about these events.

And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all that heard these things.

Acts 5:11 (KJV) records a pivotal moment in the early Christian church, describing the profound impact of God's judgment on Ananias and Sapphira. This verse highlights the immediate and widespread reaction to a divine act of discipline, emphasizing the solemnity and holiness associated with the burgeoning community of believers in Jerusalem.

Context

This verse directly follows the dramatic and severe account of Ananias and Sapphira's deception. They had sold a piece of property but withheld a portion of the proceeds while claiming to have given the entire amount to the apostles. Peter, discerning their lie by the Holy Spirit, confronted them, leading to their immediate death. This extraordinary event was not merely a consequence of financial dishonesty, but a profound offense against the Holy Spirit and a challenge to the integrity of the early church's communal life, as described in Acts 4:32-35.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Holiness and Judgment: The incident clearly demonstrates God's absolute holiness and His intolerance for hypocrisy and deceit within His nascent church. It serves as a stark reminder that God is not to be trifled with.
  • The Purity of the Early Church: This severe judgment was crucial in maintaining the integrity and spiritual purity of the early Christian community. It set a precedent that God would actively purify His people, ensuring their authenticity and commitment.
  • The Fear of the Lord: The "great fear" (Greek: phobos) that came upon the church and those who heard was not just terror, but a profound sense of awe, reverence, and respect for God's power and justice. It underscored the reality of God's active presence among them.
  • The Authority of the Holy Spirit: The judgment came through Peter's discernment by the Holy Spirit, affirming the Spirit's active role in guiding and sanctifying the church.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "fear" is phobos (φόβος). While it can mean terror, in this context, especially when applied to "all the church," it carries the weight of a profound, reverential awe and respect for God's power and authority. This "fear of the Lord" is often presented in Scripture as the beginning of wisdom. The term "church" is ekklesia (ἐκκλησία), referring to the summoned assembly of believers, the nascent body of Christ.

Related Scriptures

  • For the initial description of the early church's unity and sharing, see Acts 2:44-45 and Acts 4:32-35.
  • The concept of God's judgment and holiness is also evident in the Old Testament, such as in Leviticus 10:1-2 with Nadab and Abihu.
  • The importance of truthfulness in the Christian life is a recurring theme, as seen in Colossians 3:9.

Practical Application

Acts 5:11 teaches enduring lessons for believers and the church today. It reminds us that God takes sin seriously, especially within the community called by His name. It underscores the importance of integrity, transparency, and genuine devotion in our faith. While God's judgment in this dramatic form is not typical today, the principle remains: God is holy, and a reverential fear of Him should characterize His people. This fear fosters humility, obedience, and a commitment to live lives worthy of the gospel, ensuring the church remains a credible witness to God's truth and power.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 5:5

    And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:11

    Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:12

    Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

  • Acts 19:17

    And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

  • Hebrews 4:1

    ¶ Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left [us] of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

  • Philippians 2:12

    ¶ Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

  • Psalms 89:7

    God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all [them that are] about him.

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