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Selection of the Seven

Now in those days, while the (A)disciples were (B)multiplying in number, there was grumbling from the [a](C)Hellenists against the (D)Hebrews, because their (E)widows were being overlooked in (F)the daily serving of food. So the twelve summoned the [b]congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not pleasing to God for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, (G)brothers, 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 need. But we will (I)devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word.” And this word pleased the whole [c]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 Nicolas, a [d](M)proselyte from (N)Antioch. And these they stood before the apostles, and after (O)praying, they (P)laid their hands on them.

(Q)And the word of God kept on spreading, and (R)the number of the disciples continued to multiply greatly in Jerusalem, and a great [e]many of the priests were becoming obedient to (S)the faith.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 6:1 Jews who adopted the Gr language and much of Gr culture through acculturation
  2. Acts 6:2 Lit multitude
  3. Acts 6:5 Lit multitude
  4. Acts 6:5 A Gentile convert to Judaism
  5. Acts 6:7 Lit crowd

Seven Chosen to Serve

In those days, as the number of the disciples(A) was multiplying, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews[a] against the Hebraic Jews[b] that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.(B) Then the Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching about God to handle financial matters.[c] Therefore, brothers, 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 preaching ministry.” The 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 proselyte from Antioch.(F) They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed(G) and laid their hands on(H) them.[d]

So the preaching about God flourished, the number of the disciples in Jerusalem multiplied(I) greatly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 6:1 Jews of Gk language and culture
  2. Acts 6:1 Jews of Aram or Hb language and culture
  3. Acts 6:2 Or to serve tables
  4. Acts 6:6 The laying on of hands signified the prayer of blessing for the beginning of a new ministry.