Acts 5:14

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} believers {G4100} were {G4369} the more {G3123} added {G4369} to the Lord {G2962}, multitudes {G4128} both {G5037} of men {G435} and {G2532} women {G1135}.)

Complete Jewish Bible

and throngs of believers were added to the Lord, both men and women.

Berean Standard Bible

Yet more and more believers were brought to the Lord—large numbers of both men and women.

American Standard Version

and believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 5:14 offers a profound summary of the early church's remarkable expansion in Jerusalem, asserting that genuine believers, both men and women, were increasingly being added to the Lord. This verse highlights not merely a demographic increase but a divinely orchestrated spiritual growth, underscoring God's sovereign hand in drawing people into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, even amidst trials and acts of divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 5:14 follows immediately after the severe judgment on Ananias and Sapphira for their deception, an event that instilled "great fear" in the entire church and all who heard about it ([Acts 5:1-11](/acts/5-1-11 "Acts 5:1-11 - The Judgment of Ananias and Sapphira")). This purification of the community underscored the holiness and seriousness of commitment required within the nascent church. Following this, the apostles continued to perform many signs and wonders among the people, gathering in Solomon's Porch, which fostered great respect and awe from the general populace, though outsiders were hesitant to join them directly ([Acts 5:12-13](/acts/5-12-13 "Acts 5:12-13 - Apostles Perform Many Signs and Wonders")). It is against this backdrop of both divine discipline and powerful apostolic ministry that verse 14 presents a renewed surge of growth, indicating that the fear instilled by God's judgment did not deter true faith but rather purified the community, making it a more compelling witness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early church in Jerusalem operated within a predominantly Jewish society, still deeply rooted in Temple worship and Mosaic Law. The "Lord" in this context refers to Jesus Christ, a radical claim for many Jews who viewed Him as a crucified criminal rather than the Messiah or God. The growth described in Acts 5:14 occurred despite significant opposition from the Jewish religious authorities, who had already arrested Peter and John ([Acts 4:1-3](/acts/4-1-3 "Acts 4:1-3 - Peter and John Arrested")) and would soon do so again ([Acts 5:17-18](/acts/5-17-18 "Acts 5:17-18 - Apostles Arrested Again")). The mention of "multitudes both of men and women" is culturally significant, as women often held a secondary status in public life in ancient societies. Their inclusion as "believers...added to the Lord" demonstrates the inclusive and transformative nature of the Gospel, which broke down societal barriers and offered equal spiritual standing to all who believed.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Acts. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Growth**, illustrating that the church's expansion is not merely a human endeavor but a supernatural work of God. The phrase "added to the Lord" highlights that conversion is a direct spiritual allegiance to Christ, not just joining a social group. This echoes earlier accounts of growth where the Lord Himself "added to their number daily those who were being saved" ([Acts 2:47](/acts/2-47 "Acts 2:47 - The Lord Adds to Their Number Daily")). Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Authenticity and Purity**. The judgment on Ananias and Sapphira, immediately preceding this verse, served to purify the church, establishing a clear standard of truthfulness and holiness. This purity, coupled with the undeniable power of the apostles' miracles ([Acts 5:12](/acts/5-12 "Acts 5:12 - Apostles Perform Many Signs and Wonders")), created a compelling witness that drew genuine seekers. Finally, the verse underscores the **Universal Appeal of the Gospel**, as "multitudes both of men and women" were added, demonstrating that the message of Christ transcended gender, social status, and other human distinctions, building on the significant increase in believers noted in [Acts 4:4](/acts/4-4 "Acts 4:4 - Number of Believers Increases to Five Thousand").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **believers (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** From G4100, meaning "to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ)." In Acts 5:14, the participle form (often translated as "those believing" or "believers") signifies individuals who have actively placed their trust and allegiance in Jesus Christ. Their addition to the community is predicated on this foundational act of faith, distinguishing them from mere observers or those who were simply curious.
* **added (Greek, _prostíthēmi'_):** From G4369, meaning "to place additionally, i.e. lay beside, annex, repeat." The passive voice ("were...added") is crucial here, indicating that this growth was not primarily due to human evangelistic efforts or recruitment strategies, but was something divinely accomplished. It emphasizes God's sovereign agency in drawing people to Himself and incorporating them into the body of believers. This divine action highlights that true church growth is a supernatural phenomenon, a work of God.
* **Lord (Greek, _kýrios'_):** From G2962, meaning "supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):--God, Lord, master, Sir." The phrase "added to the Lord" is profoundly significant. It means these new converts were not merely joining a social club or a new religious sect, but were entering into a personal, saving relationship with Jesus Christ, acknowledging His ultimate authority and sovereignty over their lives. This term asserts Jesus' divine status and His position as the ultimate object of faith and allegiance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And believers":** This opening phrase, connected by the conjunction "And" (G1161, _dé_), signals a continuation of the narrative, yet with a renewed emphasis on the positive outcome following the preceding events of judgment and apostolic power. "Believers" (G4100) specifically identifies those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, distinguishing them from the general populace who merely held the apostles in high regard.
* **"were the more added to the Lord,":** This central clause describes the dynamic of growth. The passive voice of "were added" (G4369) strongly implies divine agency; God Himself was the one bringing these individuals into the community of faith. The phrase "the more" (G3123, _mâllon_) indicates an increasing degree or intensity of this addition, suggesting a sustained and accelerating growth. Crucially, they were "added to the Lord" (G2962), signifying a spiritual allegiance and personal commitment to Jesus Christ as their sovereign Master, rather than simply joining a human organization.
* **"multitudes both of men and women.)":** This concluding phrase specifies the scope and diversity of the new converts. "Multitudes" (G4128, _plēthos_) emphasizes the sheer number, indicating a significant and widespread movement. The explicit mention of "both of men and women" (G435, _anḗr_ and G1135, _gynḗ_) highlights the inclusive nature of the Gospel, which transcended the societal and gender distinctions of the time, drawing people from all walks of life into the nascent Christian community.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 5:14 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The use of **Passive Voice** in "were...added" subtly but effectively highlights divine agency, emphasizing that the growth of the church was not primarily a human achievement but a supernatural work of God. The term "multitudes" functions as **Hyperbole** or **Exaggeration**, not necessarily implying an exact count, but rather conveying the overwhelming and impressive scale of the church's expansion. This serves to underscore the power and effectiveness of the Holy Spirit's work. Furthermore, the verse acts as a **Summary Statement**, concisely encapsulating the ongoing and widespread growth of the early Christian community after a period of both divine judgment and miraculous demonstration, providing a concise report of the spiritual vitality of the movement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 5:14 is a profound theological statement on the nature of church growth, asserting that true expansion is fundamentally a divine work. The phrase "added to the Lord" shifts the focus from human evangelistic efforts to God's sovereign initiative in drawing individuals into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. This highlights the theological truth that conversion is not merely a change of affiliation but a spiritual transformation and allegiance to Christ as Lord. It underscores that the church is not a human institution built by human hands, but a divine organism, the body of Christ, supernaturally expanded and sustained by God's power. This divine agency ensures the purity and authenticity of the church, as it is God who discerns and adds genuine believers, a truth made starkly clear by the preceding judgment on Ananias and Sapphira.

* [Acts 2:47](/acts/2-47 "Acts 2:47 - The Lord Adds to Their Number Daily")
* [Acts 4:4](/acts/4-4 "Acts 4:4 - Number of Men Believing")
* [1 Corinthians 3:6-7](/1_corinthians/3-6-7 "1 Corinthians 3:6-7 - God Gives the Increase")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 5:14 serves as a powerful reminder that genuine church growth is ultimately God's work, not ours. While we are called to faithfully proclaim the Gospel, live out its truths, and serve others, it is the Lord who draws hearts, convicts minds, and adds individuals to His body. This verse challenges contemporary believers and churches to prioritize spiritual purity, as the judgment on Ananias and Sapphira (immediately preceding this verse) demonstrates God's commitment to the holiness of His church. When the church lives authentically and powerfully, demonstrating God's presence through word and deed, it becomes a compelling witness that God uses to draw "multitudes." Our focus should be on faithfulness to Christ and dependence on the Holy Spirit, trusting that He will bring the increase. This perspective frees us from the burden of human-driven metrics and reorients us to God's sovereign power in building His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the phrase "added to the Lord" challenge our modern understanding of church membership or growth?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals and as a church, cultivate an environment where God is free to "add" people to Himself?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the balance between human effort in evangelism and God's sovereign work in conversion?**
* **How might the purity of the church, as demonstrated in the preceding verses, contribute to its growth?**

### FAQ
**What does "added to the Lord" specifically mean in this context?**

Answer: "Added to the Lord" means that new converts were not merely joining a social club or a human organization, but were entering into a personal, saving relationship with Jesus Christ, acknowledging His divine authority and sovereignty over their lives. It signifies a spiritual transformation and allegiance to Christ as their Master and God. This phrase emphasizes that the growth was a supernatural work of God, drawing people directly into His kingdom and relationship with Him, rather than simply increasing the number of attendees at a gathering. It highlights genuine conversion and commitment to Jesus as the central figure of their faith, as seen in other passages where the Lord Himself adds to the church, such as [Acts 2:47](/acts/2-47 "Acts 2:47 - The Lord Adds to Their Number Daily").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 5:14, with its declaration that "believers were the more added to the Lord," finds its Christ-centered fulfillment in the ongoing work of Jesus through His Holy Spirit to build His church, which is His body. The "Lord" to whom these multitudes are added is none other than the resurrected Christ, who, having ascended to the right hand of God, continues to exercise His supreme authority over all creation and specifically over His church ([Ephesians 1:22-23](/ephesians/1-22-23 "Ephesians 1:22-23 - Christ as Head of the Church")). This verse is a direct manifestation of Christ's promise to Peter, "I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Jesus' Promise to Build His Church")). The growth described here is not merely an increase in numbers but the expansion of Christ's spiritual kingdom on earth, as He, the Good Shepherd, continues to gather His sheep, bringing them into His one flock ([John 10:16](/john/10-16 "John 10:16 - One Flock, One Shepherd")). The Holy Spirit, poured out by Christ at Pentecost, is the active agent in this process, convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment ([John 16:8](/john/16-8 "John 16:8 - The Spirit Convicts the World")), regenerating hearts ([Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Regeneration and Renewal by the Holy Spirit")), and incorporating new believers into the body of Christ ([1 Corinthians 12:13](/1_corinthians/12-13 "1 Corinthians 12:13 - Baptized by One Spirit into One Body")). Thus, Acts 5:14 is a testament to the living, reigning Christ's continued mission to redeem and gather His people from every nation, fulfilling the Great Commission He gave before His ascension ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")).

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 2:47

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

Isaiah 55:11

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.

Isaiah 55:13

Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign [that] shall not be cut off.

Acts 8:3

As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed [them] to prison.

Deuteronomy 31:11

When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.

Deuteronomy 31:12

Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that [is] within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:

Nehemiah 8:2

And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.