And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The early believers didn't just go to the temple; they continued there daily, maintaining Jewish customs. This shows Christianity wasn't an immediate break from their heritage, but a fulfillment of it, as they found in the temple a place to witness to fellow Jews and share doctrine.
And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse describes the vibrant daily life of the early Christian community in Jerusalem, just after the powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They continued to participate in Jewish temple worship, showing they still saw themselves as part of God's covenant people, while also gathering in private homes for meals and fellowship. This blending of public religious observance and intimate community life fostered their shared joy and commitment to one another.
They didn't just attend religious services; they lived out their faith together, both publicly and privately.
The early believers had a powerful rhythm to their lives that blended public worship with intimate fellowship.
Public Devotion
They were 'continuing daily with one accord in the temple.' This wasn't just about going through the motions; it was about consistent, unified presence where they could share their faith with others and connect with their Jewish heritage. Even though they had Jesus, they didn't abandon the temple but used it as a space for witness and shared devotion, understanding that Christianity fulfilled ancient hopes.
Private Community
'Breaking bread from house to house' points to their communal meals. This wasn't part of the temple worship but a distinct Christian practice, happening in their homes. It's here that their faith became deeply personal and relational. These gatherings were about sharing life and sustenance, fostering a deep sense of community and mutual care, especially for those in need.
Their shared meals were seasoned not just with food, but with extraordinary joy and a heart free from greed.
The way the early Christians approached their meals reveals a profound inner transformation.
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Gladness Amidst Sharing
They 'received their food with glad and generous hearts.' This 'gladness' wasn't superficial happiness but a deep-seated joy rooted in God's provision and their community. Even in sharing their resources, there was a delight in giving and receiving, a sign of their spiritual richness overriding material concerns.
Singleness of Heart
The phrase 'singleness of heart' speaks to a unified, undivided focus. It means they weren't driven by self-interest, anxiety about the future, or the pursuit of worldly status. Their hearts were focused on Christ and the community, leading to a simple, sincere way of living and relating to one another. This purity of motive fueled their generosity and joy.
Understand the original words
hieron · Greek Noun
The central place of worship for ancient Israel in Jerusalem, signifying the dwelling place of God’s presence among His people before the fulfillment of the temple in the person of Christ and the Church.
klao arton · Greek Verb phrase
Refers to the practice of eating, often carrying the deeper symbolic significance of fellowship, covenantal unity, and the communal remembrance of the Lord’s Supper in the early church.
agalliasis/agalliao · Greek Noun/Adjective (as used in phrase)
A deep, sincere joy that is rooted in the presence of God and the reality of the Gospel, rather than being dependent on external circumstances.
apheleia · Greek Noun
A disposition of simplicity, sincerity, and unreserved self-giving for the benefit of others, mirroring the sacrificial nature of Christ's love.
This verse captures the vibrant, unified life of the very first Christian community in Jerusalem, a time when they seamlessly blended their new faith in Jesus with their Jewish heritage, worshipping in the Temple while also sharing meals and fellowship in their homes.
c. AD 30— this verse
Pentecost and the First Believers
On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus' followers in Jerusalem, empowering them and leading to the conversion of about 3,000 people. This event marked the birth of the Christian church.
c. AD 30-33
Early Church Growth in Jerusalem
The nascent Christian community in Jerusalem experienced rapid growth and spiritual vitality. They met regularly for prayer, teaching, fellowship, and the breaking of bread, sharing resources and living in unity.
c. AD 30-33
Continued Temple Attendance
Despite forming a distinct community, the early Jewish followers of Jesus continued to worship at the Jerusalem Temple, seeing it as a place to evangelize and connect with their heritage.
c. AD 33-36
Persecution Begins
As the early church grew, opposition from Jewish religious authorities increased, leading to the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, and the scattering of many believers from Jerusalem.
This passage speaks to eating before the Lord in joy and thanksgiving, mirroring the early believers' glad hearts as they shared meals.
Psalm 111:1-3The psalmist's declaration of praising God's works and experiencing His steadfast love connects with the believers' joyful hearts and unified purpose.
Proverbs 14:30This proverb highlights that a tranquil heart is life to the body, reflecting the 'gladness and singleness of heart' experienced by the early church in their fellowship and meals.
Colossians 3:15Paul urges believers to let the peace of Christ rule in their hearts and to be thankful, which resonates with the unified and joyful spirit described in Acts 2:46.
1 Corinthians 11:20-21While Acts 2:46 shows the healthy merging of common meals and spiritual fellowship, this passage in Corinthians warns against divisions when the Lord's Supper was misused, highlighting the importance of the early church's unity and 'singleness of heart'.
cambridgeActs 2:46: "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,"
46 . And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple ] The Greek is more emphatic. Render, And day by day attending continually with one accord, &c. At the Temple they were likely to meet with the greatest number of devout listeners; and we shall find that the first Christians did not cease to be religious Jews, but hel…
vincentActs 2:46: "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,"
With one accord (ὁμοθυμαδὸν)See on Matthew 18:19.From house to house (κατ' οἶκον)Better, as Rev., at home, contrasted with in the temple. Compare Plm 1:2; Colossians 4:15; 1 Corinthians 16:19.Did eat their meat (μετελάμβανον τροφῆς)Rev., take their food. Partake would be better, giving the force of μετά, with. Note the im…
The early believers didn't just go to the temple; they continued there daily, maintaining Jewish customs. This shows Christianity wasn't an immediate break from their heritage, but a fulfillment of it, as they found in the temple a place to witness to fellow Jews and share doctrine.
This verse describes the vibrant daily life of the early Christian community in Jerusalem, just after the powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They continued to participate in Jewish temple worship, showing they still saw themselves as part of God's covenant people, while also gathering in private homes for meals and fellowship. This blending of public religious observance and intimate community life fostered their shared joy and commitment to one another.
This verse describes the vibrant daily life of the early Christian community in Jerusalem, just after the powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They continued to participate in Jewish temple worship, showing they still saw themselves as part of God's covenant people, while also gathering in private homes for meals and fellowship. This blending of public religious observance and intimate community life fostered their shared joy and commitment to one another.
"And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts," — The early believers didn't just go to the temple; they continued there daily, maintaining Jewish customs. This shows Christianity wasn't an immediate break from their heritage, but a fulfillment of…
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Last reviewed October 2026