Act 6:2 | KingComments | STEP | As the number of disciples increases, so do the dangers of the sinful flesh that every believer has within him. In the previous chapter two of the disciples expressed this in a well-considered and therefore crafty way. The judgment was in accordance with it. Now the sinful flesh reveals itself in a different form than in the previous chapter. It is not an intentional, deliberate sin, but a spirit of dissatisfaction comes into the church and manifests itself in complaining. It is not a rebellion, but it is deadly if it is not responded to properly ( ). As with Ananias and Sapphira, money is the cause. With them it was about making it available, here it is about distributing it, perhaps mainly in the form of goods. The complaining stems from the different living conditions of the disciples. The Hellenistic Jews or Greek-speaking Jews believe that their widows are not treated equally with the Hebrews in the distribution of the goods that the church received from its wealthier members. We see here two groups with different backgrounds. The Greek-speaking Jews are Jews who came out of the scattering. They speak the Greek language and are familiar with Greek culture which may have been evident in their behavior. The Hebrews are the Hebrew or Aramaic speaking Jews. They have their origin in Israel and have been formed by the law. These are two groups both having their dangers and need to learn to bear with each other. The Greek-speaking people are in danger of introducing a worldly way of life into the church; the Hebrews are in danger of introducing legalism into the church. The Preacher has already observed that danger and warned about it ( ). He speaks of the contrast between the righteous who boasts of his righteousness – that is, someone who takes himself as norm, makes laws of that norm and imposes it on others – and the lawless who boasts of his freedom – such a person does not acknowledge any law. The only way to avoid falling into either extremity is to fear God. The God-fearing one has respect for God’s Word and adds nothing to it and avoids both dangers. The Lord Jesus walked on the narrow path, “in the midst of the paths of justice” ( ), not to the right and not to the left. We must always focus on Him again ( ). If we don’t, satan will succeed in bringing discord among us through dissatisfaction and jealousy. Satan exploits the small differences there are in the church to set people up against each other. In this case it concerns earthly goods. If we are content with what we have ( ), we will not become jealous of what others have or can do. Contentment is inseparable from Godliness ( ). The apostles, who are called “the twelve” here, recognize the problem. They even recognize that they have contributed to its arising. They have taken on tasks that are not directly theirs. That is asking for trouble. An additional consequence is that they are no longer able to carry out their actual task to the full. If more is done than is ordered, nothing will happen properly anymore. On the one hand, the apostles do not get around to their original task of preaching the Word of God; on the other hand, the task they have taken upon themselves, serving the tables, is not carried out properly. Serving the tables is about distributing money and goods to the needy believers. It is also an important instruction for us to stick to what the Lord has given us as a task. If, however well intentioned, we take on other tasks for which He has not given us an order, it is at the expense of the actual task. Also the extra task which has been taken on is not carried out satisfactorily. Fortunately, the apostles recognize their mistake in time. They themselves feel that it is unsatisfactory. They hear the signals of dissatisfaction in the complaining, and act before tumult breaks out. This allows them to reduce and eliminate the danger. They want to return to their original task. The social aspect of the church, which is also there and important, must be transferred.

‏ Acts 6:2

Complaints in the Church

As the number of disciples increases, so do the dangers of the sinful flesh that every believer has within him. In the previous chapter two of the disciples expressed this in a well-considered and therefore crafty way. The judgment was in accordance with it. Now the sinful flesh reveals itself in a different form than in the previous chapter.

It is not an intentional, deliberate sin, but a spirit of dissatisfaction comes into the church and manifests itself in complaining. It is not a rebellion, but it is deadly if it is not responded to properly (1Cor 10:10). As with Ananias and Sapphira, money is the cause. With them it was about making it available, here it is about distributing it, perhaps mainly in the form of goods.

The complaining stems from the different living conditions of the disciples. The Hellenistic Jews or Greek-speaking Jews believe that their widows are not treated equally with the Hebrews in the distribution of the goods that the church received from its wealthier members. We see here two groups with different backgrounds. The Greek-speaking Jews are Jews who came out of the scattering. They speak the Greek language and are familiar with Greek culture which may have been evident in their behavior. The Hebrews are the Hebrew or Aramaic speaking Jews. They have their origin in Israel and have been formed by the law.

These are two groups both having their dangers and need to learn to bear with each other. The Greek-speaking people are in danger of introducing a worldly way of life into the church; the Hebrews are in danger of introducing legalism into the church.

The Preacher has already observed that danger and warned about it (Ecc 7:15-18). He speaks of the contrast between the righteous who boasts of his righteousness – that is, someone who takes himself as norm, makes laws of that norm and imposes it on others – and the lawless who boasts of his freedom – such a person does not acknowledge any law. The only way to avoid falling into either extremity is to fear God.

The God-fearing one has respect for God’s Word and adds nothing to it and avoids both dangers. The Lord Jesus walked on the narrow path, “in the midst of the paths of justice” (Pro 8:20), not to the right and not to the left. We must always focus on Him again (Isa 30:21). If we don’t, satan will succeed in bringing discord among us through dissatisfaction and jealousy.

Satan exploits the small differences there are in the church to set people up against each other. In this case it concerns earthly goods. If we are content with what we have (Heb 13:5), we will not become jealous of what others have or can do. Contentment is inseparable from Godliness (1Tim 6:6).

The apostles, who are called “the twelve” here, recognize the problem. They even recognize that they have contributed to its arising. They have taken on tasks that are not directly theirs. That is asking for trouble. An additional consequence is that they are no longer able to carry out their actual task to the full.

If more is done than is ordered, nothing will happen properly anymore. On the one hand, the apostles do not get around to their original task of preaching the Word of God; on the other hand, the task they have taken upon themselves, serving the tables, is not carried out properly. Serving the tables is about distributing money and goods to the needy believers.

It is also an important instruction for us to stick to what the Lord has given us as a task. If, however well intentioned, we take on other tasks for which He has not given us an order, it is at the expense of the actual task. Also the extra task which has been taken on is not carried out satisfactorily.

Fortunately, the apostles recognize their mistake in time. They themselves feel that it is unsatisfactory. They hear the signals of dissatisfaction in the complaining, and act before tumult breaks out. This allows them to reduce and eliminate the danger. They want to return to their original task. The social aspect of the church, which is also there and important, must be transferred.