Seven Chosen to Serve

In those days, as the disciples(A) were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.(B) The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation,(C) full of the Spirit(D) and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” This proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen,(E) a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a convert from Antioch.(F) They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed(G) and laid their hands on(H) them.

So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased(I) greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.

Read full chapter

Choosing of the Seven

Now [a]at this time, as the (A)disciples were (B)increasing in number, a complaint developed on the part of the [b](C)Hellenistic Jews against the native (D)Hebrews, because their (E)widows were being overlooked in (F)the daily serving of food. So the twelve summoned the [c]congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Instead, (G)brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, (H)full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will (I)devote ourselves to prayer and to the [d]ministry of the word.” The [e]announcement found approval with the whole [f]congregation; and they chose (J)Stephen, a man (K)full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and (L)Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and [g]Nicolas, a [h](M)proselyte from (N)Antioch. And they brought these men before the apostles; and after (O)praying, they (P)laid their hands on them.

(Q)The word of God kept spreading; and (R)the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to (S)the faith.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Acts 6:1 Lit in these days
  2. Acts 6:1 Jews who adopted the Gr language and much of Gr culture through acculturation
  3. Acts 6:2 Lit multitude
  4. Acts 6:4 Or service
  5. Acts 6:5 Lit word
  6. Acts 6:5 Lit multitude
  7. Acts 6:5 Gr Nikolaos
  8. Acts 6:5 I.e., a Gentile convert to Judaism