Act 5:1-2 | KingComments | STEP | The two verses at the end of the previous chapter on Barnabas are an introduction to the history of Ananias and Sapphira. Ananias means ‘God is merciful’, but we learn here that God is also holy; Sapphira means ‘beautiful’, but we learn here that her heart is filthy because of sin. In the previous chapter the Spirit shows His power and authority outside the church, here He does it in the church, against evil. God cannot endure evil in the place where He dwells. Satan has always set out to exert his evil influence where God is at work and blesses. He always finds people who are willing to let themselves be used by him. What Ananias and Sapphira do is in great contrast with Barnabas’ way of acting. It seems that Ananias and Sapphira are jealous of Barnabas. Instigated by the generosity of Barnabas and others, Ananias doesn’t want to be remain behind. He consults with his wife to also sell a property and does so. Just as satan used man’s greed for money with Judas Iscariot, so he does with Ananias and Sapphira. Ananias talked to his wife about not bringing the whole amount of the sale, but only a part. Giving them the whole amount goes too far, but they want to give the impression that they are giving the whole amount. A person who may be a true Christian, but who gives the sinful flesh a chance to work in him, can come to this kind of behavior. They want to have the honor of the devotion that the Holy Spirit works, without denying themselves. Their greed is both for money and for honor. The sacrifice they want to make is beyond their spiritual state. They want to imitate the good deeds of others, without their heart being completely subject to the Lord. While man and wife should correct each other, Ananias and Sapphira affirm each other in evil. The wife here is not the help for her husband that God purposed her to be.

‏ Acts 5:1-2

The Deceit of Ananias and Sapphira

The two verses at the end of the previous chapter on Barnabas are an introduction to the history of Ananias and Sapphira. Ananias means ‘God is merciful’, but we learn here that God is also holy; Sapphira means ‘beautiful’, but we learn here that her heart is filthy because of sin.

In the previous chapter the Spirit shows His power and authority outside the church, here He does it in the church, against evil. God cannot endure evil in the place where He dwells. Satan has always set out to exert his evil influence where God is at work and blesses. He always finds people who are willing to let themselves be used by him.

What Ananias and Sapphira do is in great contrast with Barnabas’ way of acting. It seems that Ananias and Sapphira are jealous of Barnabas. Instigated by the generosity of Barnabas and others, Ananias doesn’t want to be remain behind. He consults with his wife to also sell a property and does so.

Just as satan used man’s greed for money with Judas Iscariot, so he does with Ananias and Sapphira. Ananias talked to his wife about not bringing the whole amount of the sale, but only a part. Giving them the whole amount goes too far, but they want to give the impression that they are giving the whole amount. A person who may be a true Christian, but who gives the sinful flesh a chance to work in him, can come to this kind of behavior.

They want to have the honor of the devotion that the Holy Spirit works, without denying themselves. Their greed is both for money and for honor. The sacrifice they want to make is beyond their spiritual state. They want to imitate the good deeds of others, without their heart being completely subject to the Lord. While man and wife should correct each other, Ananias and Sapphira affirm each other in evil. The wife here is not the help for her husband that God purposed her to be.