Lexical Summary ktétór: Owner, Possessor Original Word: κτήτωρ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ownerFrom ktaomai; an owner -- possessor. see GREEK ktaomai NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ktaomai Definition a possessor NASB Translation owners (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2935: κτήτωρκτήτωρ, κτητορος, ὁ (κτάομαι), a possessor: Acts 4:34. (Diodorus excpt., p. 599, 17; Clement of Alexandria; Byzantine writings.) Topical Lexicon κτήτωρ – Owner, PossessorBiblical Occurrence Acts 4:34: “There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds of the sales” (Berean Standard Bible). The word designates those who held legal title to real estate within the Jerusalem congregation. Historical Setting in Acts After Pentecost the church in Jerusalem swelled with new believers. Many were pilgrims who remained in the city to be instructed in the apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:42). The sudden influx created pressing material needs. Luke records that members who were κτήτορες chose to liquidate assets so those resources could be “laid at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:35). Their action was voluntary (Acts 5:4), Spirit-prompted (Acts 4:31), and exemplary of unity (Acts 4:32). Theological Implications • God’s ultimate ownership. “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1). Human ownership is derivative, calling for responsible stewardship (1 Chronicles 29:14). • Stewardship versus possession. While κτήτορες had lawful rights, they recognized a higher obligation to the body of Christ. Their example illustrates that possessions exist to serve kingdom purposes, not to enthrone self (Luke 12:15). • Grace-motivated generosity. The sharing in Jerusalem sprang from the gospel’s power, not coercion. Paul later appeals to the same principle: “Each one should give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion” (2 Corinthians 9:7). • Eschatological vision. Holding property loosely reflects confidence in “an inheritance that is imperishable” (1 Peter 1:4). Material goods become tools for eternal investment (Luke 16:9). Connections with Old Testament Thought The Torah tempered property rights with community responsibility. Gleaning laws (Leviticus 19:9-10), Sabbatical release (Deuteronomy 15:1-11), and Jubilee (Leviticus 25) guarded against entrenched poverty. The Jerusalem believers’ practice echoes these principles, now energized by the Holy Spirit. Related New Testament Teaching • Acts 2:44-45 – early precedent of selling possessions for the needy. Together these passages affirm liberty to own property while urging open-handed generosity. Ministry Significance 1. Relief of need within the church remains a gospel mandate (James 2:15-16). Contemporary Application • Conduct regular “ownership audits,” prayerfully asking how property can advance Christ’s mission. See Also Proverbs 3:9; Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 19:8; Acts 11:29; Romans 12:13; Philippians 4:15-17; Hebrews 10:34; Revelation 3:17-18 Forms and Transliterations κτητορες κτήτορες ktetores ktētores ktḗtoresLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |