The Seven Helpers

6 Now in those days, as the disciples were multiplied, there was murmuring among the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were overlooked in the daily distribution. ² So the twelve called the multitude of disciples together and said, “It is not reasonable for us to leave the word of God and serve tables. ³ Brothers, look among yourselves for seven men who are known to be full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint over this duty. ⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

⁵ And what was said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, who was a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Procorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, ⁶ whom they presented before the apostles. And when they had prayed, they placed their hands on them.

⁷ So the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples grew rapidly in Jerusalem, and a great number of the priests were obedient to the faith.

⁴ There are various gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. ⁶ There are various operations, but it is the same God who operates all of them in all people.

⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to everyone for the common good. ⁸ To one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, ¹⁰ to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ But that one and very same Spirit works all these, dividing to each one individually as He will.

The Offering for the Saints

9 It is redundant for me to write to you concerning the ministry to the saints. ² I know your willingness, for which I boast of you to those in Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago, and your zeal has stirred up most of them. ³ Yet I have sent the brothers, lest our boasting of you might be in vain in this case, that, as I said, you may be ready; ⁴ and lest if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you) should be ashamed of this confident boasting. ⁵ Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brothers to go ahead to you and arrange beforehand your bountiful gift you previously promised, that it might be prepared as a gift, not as a matter of greed.

⁶ But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷ Let every man give according to the purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ God is able to make all grace abound toward you, so that you, always having enough of everything, may abound to every good work. ⁹ As it is written:

¹⁰ Now He who supplies seed to the sower and supplies bread for your food will also multiply your seed sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness. ¹¹ So you will be enriched in everything to all bountifulness, which makes us give thanks to God.

¹² For the administration of this service not only supplies the need of the saints, but is abundant also through many thanksgivings to God. ¹³ Meanwhile, through the performance of this ministry, they glorify God for the profession of your faith in the gospel of Christ and for your liberal sharing with them and with all others. ¹⁴ And in their prayer for you, they long for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.