Acts 5:4

Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

Whiles it remained {G3306}, was it not {G3780} thine own {G4671}{G3306}? and {G2532} after it was sold {G4097}, was it not {G5225} in {G1722} thine own {G4674} power {G1849}? why {G5101}{G3754} hast thou conceived {G5087} this {G5124} thing {G4229} in {G1722} thine {G4675} heart {G2588}? thou hast {G5574} not {G3756} lied {G5574} unto men {G444}, but {G235} unto God {G2316}.

Before you sold it, the property was yours; and after you sold it, the money was yours to use as you pleased. So what made you decide to do such a thing? You have lied not to human beings but to God!”

Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!”

While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

Acts 5:4 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of Ananias and Sapphira, revealing the gravity of their sin within the early Christian community. It highlights the absolute freedom individuals had regarding their possessions and exposes the true nature of Ananias's deception.

Context

This verse is part of the account in Acts chapter 5, immediately following the description of the early church's remarkable unity and shared resources (Acts 4:32-37). Believers were voluntarily selling property and bringing the proceeds to the apostles for distribution among those in need. Barnabas is presented as a positive example of this generosity. Ananias and Sapphira sought to gain reputation by appearing to give all, while secretly keeping back a portion for themselves.

Key Themes

  • Voluntary Giving: Peter's rhetorical questions, "Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power?", underscore that Ananias was under no obligation to sell his property or to give all the proceeds. The early church's sharing was based on voluntary generosity, not compulsion.
  • The Nature of Sin: The sin was not in holding back money, but in the intentional deception – "why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart?" This points to the internal, premeditated nature of their lie, originating in their desire for false recognition.
  • Lying to God: The most crucial revelation is, "thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God." Peter clarifies that Ananias's deceit was not merely against the community or the apostles, but directly against the Holy Spirit, who is God (Acts 5:3). This emphasizes the divine nature of the Holy Spirit and the seriousness of dishonesty before God.
  • Divine Judgment and Purity of the Church: This severe judgment served as a powerful lesson for the nascent church, emphasizing the importance of holiness and integrity within the community of believers.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "conceive this thing in thine heart" highlights that Ananias's sin was not a spontaneous mistake but a deliberate plan hatched in his inner being. The KJV's "conceived" implies a forming or devising of a thought, emphasizing the premeditation involved. The stark contrast between "lied unto men" and "but unto God" powerfully underscores the divine authority and presence the early church experienced through the Holy Spirit.

Reflection and Application

Acts 5:4 holds enduring lessons for believers today:

  • Sincerity in Giving: Our contributions, whether financial, time, or talent, should be offered with a sincere heart, not for outward show (Matthew 6:2-4). God values the heart behind the gift.
  • Integrity in All Matters: This verse serves as a reminder that dishonesty, especially within spiritual contexts, is ultimately a lie against God, who sees and knows all (Psalm 139:2). Our walk with God demands truthfulness in every aspect of life.
  • Respect for the Holy Spirit: The passage reinforces the personhood and deity of the Holy Spirit. To deceive or test the Spirit is to deceive or test God Himself.

The incident of Ananias and Sapphira, powerfully summarized in this verse, teaches that God takes sin, particularly hypocrisy and deceit, very seriously within His church, ensuring its purity and integrity from its very foundation.

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 5:3

    But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back [part] of the price of the land?

  • 1 Chronicles 29:3

    Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, [which] I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,

  • 2 Kings 5:25

    But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence [comest thou], Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.

  • 2 Kings 5:27

    The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper [as white] as snow.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:8

    He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

  • Joshua 7:25

    And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.

  • Joshua 7:26

    And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day.

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