Verse 29. Then the disciples. The Christians at Antioch.

According to his ability. According as they had prospered. It does not imply that they were rich, but that they rendered aid as they could afford it.

Determined to send relief. This arose not merely from their general sense of their obligation to aid the poor, but they felt themselves particularly bound to aid their Jewish brethren. The obligation to aid the temporal wants of those from whom they had received so important spiritual mercies, is repeatedly enforced in the New Testament. Comp. Ro 15:25-27; 1 Co 16:1,2; 2 Co 9:1,2; Ga 2:10.

{a} "relief" Ro 15:26; 1 Co 16:1; 2 Co 9:1,2