Acts 6:1-7
New King James Version
Seven Chosen to Serve
6 Now in those days, (A)when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the (B)Hellenists,[a] because their widows were neglected (C)in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, (D)“It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, (E)seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this (F)business; 4 but we (G)will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, (H)a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and (I)Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and (J)Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and (K)when they had prayed, (L)they laid hands on them.
7 Then (M)the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many (N)of the priests were obedient to the faith.
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- Acts 6:1 Greek-speaking Jews
Acts 6:1-7
Lexham English Bible
The First Seven Deacons Appointed
6 Now in these days, as[a] the disciples were increasing in number,[b] a complaint arose by the Greek-speaking Jews[c] against the Hebraic Jews[d] because[e] their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.[f] 2 So the twelve summoned the community of disciples and[g] said, “It is not desirable that we neglect the word of God to serve tables. 3 So, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation,[h] full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we will put in charge of this need. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And the statement pleased the whole group, and they chose Stephen (a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit), and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus (a convert from Antioch), 6 whom they stood before the apostles. And they prayed and[i] placed their[j] hands on them.
7 And the word of God kept spreading, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem was increasing greatly, and a large number of priests began obeying[k] the faith.
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- Acts 6:1 Here “as” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“were increasing”)
- Acts 6:1 *The words “in number” are not in the Greek text but are implied
- Acts 6:1 Literally “Hellenists”
- Acts 6:1 Literally “Hebrews”
- Acts 6:1 Or “that”
- Acts 6:1 *The words “of food” are not in the Greek text but are implied
- Acts 6:2 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“summoned”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 6:3 Literally “well spoken of”
- Acts 6:6 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“prayed”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 6:6 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
- Acts 6:7 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began obeying”)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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