1In those days, when the disciples were multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily service. [6:2] The Twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said: "It is not pleasing for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. [6:3] Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint over this pressing need, [6:4] while we continue steadfastly in prayer and in the service of the word." [6:5] The statement pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte from Antioch. [6:6] These they set before the apostles, and praying, they laid hands on them. [6:7] The word of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly; a large crowd of priests were also becoming obedient to the faith.
ACT 6:1-7
The Choosing of the Seven
In the world it was spoken into
In the early Jerusalem church, tensions arose between Hellenistic Jews (Greek-speaking Jews from the diaspora) and Hebraic Jews (Aramaic-speaking Jews from Judea). The Hellenists complained that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food—a critical practice in the community’s care for the vulnerable. This grievance reflected broader cultural and linguistic divides within Judaism, where Hellenists often felt marginalized by the Hebraic majority. The Twelve, recognizing the need to address this without neglecting their primary role of teaching and prayer, proposed selecting seven men to oversee the distribution. These men were to be 'full of the Spirit and wisdom,' qualities essential for resolving disputes and ensuring fairness. The solution reflects the early church’s pragmatic approach to communal life, balancing spiritual leadership with practical administration. The appointment of the Seven also mirrors Jewish and Greco-Roman practices of delegating authority to trusted individuals to manage communal resources.
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How other translations render this
ACT 6:1
- KJV
- And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
- BSB
- In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
- Koinōnos
- In those days, when the disciples were multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily service.
ACT 6:2
- KJV
- Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
- BSB
- So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables.
- Koinōnos
- The Twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said: "It is not pleasing for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.
ACT 6:3
- KJV
- Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
- BSB
- Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them
- Koinōnos
- Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint over this pressing need,
ACT 6:4
- KJV
- But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
- BSB
- and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
- Koinōnos
- while we continue steadfastly in prayer and in the service of the word.
ACT 6:5
- KJV
- And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
- BSB
- This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
- Koinōnos
- The statement pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte from Antioch.
ACT 6:6
- KJV
- Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
- BSB
- They presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
- Koinōnos
- These they set before the apostles, and praying, they laid hands on them.
ACT 6:7
- KJV
- And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
- BSB
- So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith.
- Koinōnos
- The word of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly; a large crowd of priests were also becoming obedient to the faith.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
ACT 6:1
- Hellenists:The word translated 'Hellenists' refers to Greek-speaking Jews, often those from the Diaspora, who had adopted Greek culture and language, distinguishing them from Aramaic-speaking Jews in Judea.
- distribution:The word translated 'distribution' here carries the broader sense of 'service' or 'ministry,' specifically referring to the practical care and provision for daily needs, not just the act of handing out.
ACT 6:2
- word:The word translated 'word' is a rich term that can encompass not just spoken words, but also reason, divine utterance, and even the very personification of divine wisdom or communication.
ACT 6:3
- <the>:The word translated 'need' here implies a pressing necessity or requirement, highlighting a situation where something is essential and lacking, rather than just a general desire.