Act 6:1-7 | NETfull | STEP | Now in those days, when the disciples were growing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Greek-speaking Jews against the native Hebraic Jews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

Acts 6:1-7

1 Now in those ^{▼▼ Grk “these.” The translation uses “those” for stylistic reasons.} days, when the disciples were growing in number, ^{▼▼ Grk “were multiplying.”} a complaint arose on the part of the Greek-speaking Jews ^{▼▼ Grk “the Hellenists,” but this descriptive term is largely unknown to the modern English reader. The translation “Greek-speaking Jews” attempts to convey something of who these were, but it was more than a matter of language spoken; it involved a degree of adoption of Greek culture as well.} ^{▼▼ The Greek-speaking Jews were the Hellenists, Jews who to a greater or lesser extent had adopted Greek thought, customs, and lifestyle, as well as the Greek language. The city of Alexandria in Egypt was a focal point for them, but they were scattered throughout the Roman Empire.} against the native Hebraic Jews, ^{▼▼ Grk “against the Hebrews,” but as with “Hellenists” this needs further explanation for the modern reader.} because their widows ^{▼▼ The care of widows is a major biblical theme: Deut 10:18; 16:11, 14; 24:17, 19–21; 26:12–13; 27:19; Isa 1:17–23; Jer 7:6; Mal 3:5.} were being overlooked ^{▼▼ Or “neglected.”} in the daily distribution of food. ^{▼▼ Grk “in the daily serving.”} ^{▼▼ The daily distribution of food. The early church saw it as a responsibility to meet the basic needs of people in their group.} 2 So the twelve ^{▼▼ The twelve refers to the twelve apostles.} called ^{▼▼ Grk “calling the whole group…together, said.” The participle προσκαλεσάμενοι (proskalesamenoi) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.} the whole group ^{▼▼ Or “the multitude.”} of the disciples together and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to wait on tables. ^{▼▼ Grk “to serve tables.”} 3 But carefully select from among you, brothers, ^{▼▼ It is not clear from a historical standpoint (but it is unlikely) that women would have been involved in the selection process too. For this reason the translation “brothers” has been retained, rather than “brothers and sisters” (used in contexts where both male and female believers are clearly addressed).} seven ^{▼▼ Seven. Jewish town councils often had seven members (Josephus, Ant. 4.18.14 [4.214]).} men who are well-attested, ^{▼▼ Or “are of good reputation” (BDAG 618 s.v. μαρτυρέω 2.b).} full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge ^{▼▼ The translation “put in charge” is given by BDAG 492 s.v. καθίστημι 2.} of this necessary task. ^{▼▼ Grk “of this need”; translated “necessary work” or “needed task” by L&N 42.22.} 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 The ^{▼▼ Grk “And the.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.} proposal pleased the entire group, so ^{▼▼ The translation “so” has been used to indicate the logical sequence in English.} they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, with ^{▼▼ “With” is smoother English style for an addition like this. Because of differences between Greek and English style, καί (kai), which occurs between each name in the list, has not been translated except preceding the last element.} Philip, ^{▼▼ Philip. Note how many of the names in this list are Greek. This suggests that Hellenists were chosen to solve the problem they had been so sensitive about fixing (cf. 6:1).} Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a Gentile convert to Judaism ^{▼▼ Or “a proselyte.”} from Antioch. ^{▼▼ For location see Journey of Paul map 1-F2; Journey of Paul map 2-F2; Journey of Paul map 3-F2; Journey of Paul map 4-F2.} 6 They stood these men before the apostles, who prayed ^{▼▼ Literally this is a participle in the Greek text (προσευξάμενοι, proseuxamenoi). It could be translated as a finite verb (“and they prayed and placed their hands on them”) but much smoother English results if the entire coordinate clause is converted to a relative clause that refers back to the apostles.} ^{▼▼ Who prayed. The prayer indicates their acceptance and commissioning for ministry (cf. Deut 34:9).} and placed ^{▼▼ Or “laid.”} their hands on them. 7 The word of God continued to spread, ^{▼▼ Grk “kept on spreading”; the verb has been translated as a progressive imperfect.} the number of disciples in Jerusalem ^{▼▼ For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; Journey of Paul map 1-F4; Journey of Paul map 2-F4; Journey of Paul map 3-F4; Journey of Paul map 4-F4.} increased greatly, and a large group ^{▼▼ Grk “a great multitude.”} ^{▼▼ A large group. Many Jews, even some religious leaders, were responding.} of priests became obedient to the faith.