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Acts 6:1
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Seven Chosen to Serve

1 Now in those days, awhen the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the bHellenists, because their widows were neglected cin the daily distribution.  
2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, a“It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.  
3 Therefore, brethren, aseek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this bbusiness;  
4 but we awill give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”  
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, aa man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and bPhilip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and cNicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,  
6 whom they set before the apostles; and awhen they had prayed, bthey laid hands on them.  
7 Then athe word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many bof the priests were obedient to the faith.  

Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

8 And Stephen, full of1 faith and power, did great awonders and signs among the people.  
9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.
10 And athey were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.  
11 aThen they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”  
Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
<< Acts 5:42   Acts 6:2 >>


Acts 6:1

When the number of the disciples was multiplying (plhqunontwn twn maqhtwn). Genitive absolute of plhqunw, old verb from plhqov, fulness, to increase. The new freedom from the intercession of Gamaliel was bearing rich fruit.

A murmuring of the Grecian Jews (goggusmov twn ellhnistwn). Late onomatopoetic word (LXX) from the late verb gogguzw, to mutter, to murmur. The substantive occurs also in John 7:12; Philippians 2:14; I Peter 4:9. It is the secret grumblings that buzz away till they are heard. These "Grecian Jews" or Hellenists are members of the church in Jerusalem who are Jews from outside of Palestine like Barnabas from Cyprus. These Hellenists had points of contact with the Gentile world without having gone over to the habits of the Gentiles, the Jews of the Western Dispersion. They spoke Greek.

Against the Hebrews (prov touv Ebraiouv). The Jewish Christians from Jerusalem and Palestine. The Aramaean Jews of the Eastern Dispersion are usually classed with the Hebrew (speaking Aramaic) as distinct from the Grecian Jews or Hellenists.

Were neglected (pareqewrounto). Imperfect passive of paraqewrew, old verb, to examine things placed beside (para) each other, to look beyond (para also), to overlook, to neglect. Here only in the N.T. These widows may receive daily (kaqhmerinh, late adjective from kaq hmeran, only here in the N.T.) help from the common fund provided for all who need it (Acts 4:32-37). The temple funds for widows were probably not available for those who have now become Christians. Though they were all Christians here concerned, yet the same line of cleavage existed as among the other Jews (Hebrew or Aramaean Jews and Hellenists). It is not here said that the murmuring arose among the widows, but because of them. Women and money occasion the first serious disturbance in the church life. There was evident sensitiveness that called for wisdom.




Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Acts 6:1:

John 7:12
John 12:20
Acts 6:2
Acts 6:2
Acts 6:4
Acts 12:24
Acts 15:14
Acts 22:3
Romans 15:26
2 Corinthians 9:10
Philippians 1:1
Philippians 2:14
Philippians 3:5
1 Timothy 5:3
1 Timothy 5:3

 

<< Acts 5:42   Acts 6:2 >>

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