historical perspectives: from the hasmoneans to bar kokhba in light ...

COMMUNITY OF GOODS 159
makes use of traditional material concerning the practice of community
of goods in the primitive church. The first passage (especially
when read in the restored Western Text) describes a strict practice
in which literally "all things are common," analogous to that of the
Essenes according to Josephus (War 2 §122) and at Qumran (1QS
6:13-22). The second summary, which is apparently a fuller version
of the earlier account, really consists of two parts. The first, in 4:32,
describes a practice of community of goods ascribed by Greek writers
to friends and philosophers who share their property; there are
hints of this also in Josephus, War 2 §127. On the other hand,
4:34—35, taken alone, seems once again to refer to the same strict
practice as in 2:44-45. However, when VV. 34-35 are read in sequence
after v. 32, the impression is given rather of a common fund to
which members contribute from time to time; such a practice is
attested of an Essene-like group in CD 14:llb-16, where, however,
the contributions are made from income or earnings, rather than
from capital as in Acts. If Acts thus attests to two or even three
rather different ways of practising community of goods, that would
not be so surprising, given the "variations on a theme" to be found
also among other Jewish sectarian groups of a similar type.
Appendix
2:44-45 AT 2:44-45 WT
All who had
become
believers
together
had all things
common,
and the
properties
and the
belongings
they used to sell
and they used
to divide
them
And all
the
believers
were together
and
had all things
common,
and as many a;
properties
had
or
belongings
used to sell
and they used
to divide
them