6:1 NOW ABOUT this time, when the number of the disciples was greatly increasing, complaint was made by the Hellenists (the Greek-speaking Jews) against the [native] Hebrews because their widows were being overlooked {and} neglected in the daily ministration (distribution of relief). |
6:2 So the Twelve [apostles] convened the multitude of the disciples and said, It is not seemly {or} desirable {or} right that we should have to give up {or} neglect [preaching] the Word of God in order to attend to serving at tables {and} superintending the distribution of food. |
6:3 Therefore select out from among yourselves, brethren, seven men of good {and} attested character {and} repute, full of the [Holy] Spirit and wisdom, whom we may assign to look after this business {and} duty. |
6:4 But we will continue to devote ourselves steadfastly to prayer and the ministry of the Word. |
6:5 And the suggestion pleased the whole assembly, and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith (a strong and welcome belief that Jesus is the Messiah) and full of {and} controlled by the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte (convert) from Antioch. |
6:6 These they presented to the apostles, who after prayer laid their hands on them. |
6:7 And the message of God kept on spreading, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem; and [besides] a large number of the priests were obedient to the faith [in Jesus as the Messiah, through Whom is obtained eternal salvation in the kingdom of God]. |
6:8 Now Stephen, full of grace (divine blessing and favor) and power (strength and ability) worked great wonders and signs (miracles) among the people. |
6:9 However, some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (freed Jewish slaves), as it was called, and [of the synagogues] of the Cyrenians and of the Alexandrians and of those from Cilicia and [the province of] Asia, arose [and undertook] to debate {and} dispute with Stephen. |
6:10 But they were not able to resist the intelligence {and} the wisdom and [the inspiration of] the Spirit with which {and} by Whom he spoke. |
6:11 So they [secretly] instigated {and} instructed men to say, We have heard this man speak, using slanderous {and} abusive {and} blasphemous language against Moses and God. |
6:12 [Thus] they incited the people as well as the elders and the scribes, and they came upon Stephen and arrested him and took him before the council (Sanhedrin). |
6:13 And they brought forward false witnesses who asserted, This man never stops making statements against this sacred place and the Law [of Moses]; |
6:14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus the Nazarene will tear down {and} destroy this place, and will alter the institutions {and} usages which Moses transmitted to us. |
6:15 Then all who sat in the council (Sanhedrin), as they gazed intently at Stephen, saw that his face had the appearance of the face of an angel. |