Free Bible Commentary
“Acts 6:1-7”
Categories: Acts“Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, ‘It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.’ The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.”
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I found two separate commentaries I had written on this passage. Both are included below…
Even though this passage involves the Apostles and a special “untitled” group of servants selected to address a particular issue at the church in Jerusalem, Acts 6 serves as a good model for what elders and deacons do in local churches of Jesus Christ throughout the ages. So, what was the “problem” at the congregation at Jerusalem? They were growing! That is a good problem to have! And the spiritual leaders (the Apostles) needed help to carry out the more “mundane” issues that a church can incur so that they could devote themselves completely to the more important spiritual matters (verse 4).
Notice the type of men that were selected to serve in this special capacity. They were men who had a “good reputation” (verse 3), or, you might say that they were “beyond reproach” (1 Timothy 3:10). They were “full of the spirit and of wisdom.” They were knowledgeable and experienced (tested – 1 Timothy 3:10), and were trustworthy to be put in charge of this particular situation. Even though their work was primarily of a “physical” nature, they maintained a strong spiritual presence and influence and they used good discretion when working with people.
The specific task that the seven men were selected to perform in Acts 6 was to “serve tables” (verse 2). Deacons are servants who help elders to carry out much of the work in a local church that goes unnoticed and unappreciated, but that is absolutely necessary for the wellbeing and functionality of the family of God. Church buildings need to be maintained, lights need to be changed, things need to be repaired, bills need to be paid, finances need to be handled, teaching programs need to be prepared, class rooms need to be organized, etc. Under the oversight of the elders, deacons are assigned a multitude of necessary tasks that help a congregation to function smoothly so that God can be worshiped in spirit and in truth, and His word can be taught, and His people can be served and edified.
Thank you to all the faithful deacons serving in the Lord’s church!
Second older writeup…
As desirable as growth is, with the number of disciples continuing to increase at the church in Jerusalem, some problems accompanied the expansion. Some of the money from the common collection was not being used equitably in meeting the physical requirements of the needy saints. Even though this was the age of miraculous gifts, these brethren were only human just like you and me, and sometimes they just didn’t use the best judgment. But the Apostles, under guidance of the Holy Spirit, promptly formulated a plan to resolve this predicament.
Seven men were appointed to “serve” the tables of the neglected Greek widows (verses 1-2). It is interesting to note that the Apostles didn’t select these gentlemen. The Twelve gave the qualifications of the men to be appointed and the congregation chose from among themselves the seven fellows to fill this office. The qualifications were that they have a good reputation, that they be spiritually-minded people and men of great wisdom (verse 3). One can’t help but see a parallel between the Apostles and these seven servants in the church at Jerusalem, and the more permanent arrangement of Elders and deacons as officers in local congregations of the Lord’s church (1 Timothy 3:1-13).
J.W. McGarvey noted in his commentary or Acts – “It is a remarkable manifestation of generosity in the church at large that all these are Greek names, indicating that the men were selected from the very party whence the murmuring had proceeded. It was as if the Hebrews had said, We have no selfish ends to accomplish, and no jealousy toward you whose widows have been neglected; we therefore give the whole business into your hands, and fearlessly trust our widows to your care. So generous a trust could not be betrayed except by the basest of men: it was a continuation of the perfect unity which had existed before, and which the murmuring had not been allowed to interrupt.”
The result? – “The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith” (verse 7).
Please read Acts 6:8-15 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
