The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 32. All things were common. Happy would it be for society, if the rich of the present day were to imitate, in some degree, this charity of the first disciples, by distributing to those that want. Both would hereby become more happy; nor would the rich derive less pleasure from such actions, than the poor. Saint John Chrysostom hom. xi. in Acts.—That cold and fatal word, mine, and thine, which has caused so many misfortunes and wars, was banished from among them. Id. hom. de S. Philogon.—Some take this to be the origin of a monastic life: but according to the Fathers, it is rather its progress and increase; for it began in the family of Jesus Christ. The apostles, indeed, may be said to institute here that common life, which they led under Christ, our Lord, and of which Peter speaks: behold, we have left all. This life, by S. Augustin and others, is called apostolic, and there among all, wives are particularly specified. Cajetan thinks no vow was required: S. Augustin is of a different sentiment. Serm. x. de diversis & alibi.