Acts 6:1-7 — AMP

Read Acts 6:1-7 (Amplified Bible) on maBible, the Bible online. Other reference formats: Acts 6.1-7, Acts 6v1-7, Ac. 6:1-7. Now about this time, when the number of disciples was increasing, a complaint was made by the Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews) against the [native] Hebrews, because their wido…

1 Now about this time, when the number of disciples was increasing, a complaint was made by the Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews) against the [native] Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.

2 So the Twelve called the disciples together and said, “It is not appropriate for us to neglect [teaching] the word of God in order to serve tables and manage the distribution of food.

3 Therefore, brothers, choose from among you seven men with good reputations [men of godly character and moral integrity], full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.

4 But we will [continue to] devote ourselves [steadfastly] to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

5 The suggestion pleased the whole congregation; and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith [in Christ Jesus], and [filled with and led by] the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas (Nikolaos), a proselyte (Gentile convert) from Antioch.

6 They brought these men before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them [to dedicate and commission them for this service].

7 And the message of God kept on growing and spreading, and the number of disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem; and a large number of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith [accepting Jesus as Messiah and acknowledging Him as the Source of eternal salvation].

Passage themes

The growing church — the number of the disciples was multiplied
Murmuring among brothers — there arose a murmuring
The Greek-speaking believers — of the Grecians
Born a Hebrew — against the Hebrews
Caring for widows — their widows were neglected
The assembly gathered — Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them
Judging what is right — It is not reason
Delegating to stay faithful — that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables
One same family — brethren
Choosing the leaders — look ye out among you seven men
A recognized reputation — of honest report
The Spirit source of wisdom — full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom
The entrusted service — whom we may appoint over this business
Devoted to ministry — we will give ourselves continually
Persevering in prayer — to prayer
Everyone agreed — the saying pleased the whole multitude
A man full of God — Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost
Philip the evangelist — Philip
The name of the Nicolaitans — Nicolas
From the nations — a proselyte of Antioch
The word advancing — the word of God increased
The church growing — the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly
Priests won over — a great company of the priests
Believing means obeying — were obedient to the faith

Notes and references

Jews born outside the Holy Land who spoke the Greek language and had adopted much of the Greek culture.
Native-born Jews who spoke Hebrew and/or Aramaic and lived according to Jewish custom.
See note Matt 10:2.
These seven men had Greek names, so they may have been Greek in ancestry, language, or way of life; however, Stephen, in his defense before the Sanhedrin (ch 7), exhibited an extensive knowledge of Jewish history.

Acts 6:1-7 — AMP | maBible

Passage themes

Notes and references

Events in this chapter

About this book

This chapter in other translations