Acts 6:1-7
Wycliffe Bible
6 But in those days, when the number of disciples increased, the Greeks grumbled against the Hebrews [grutching of Greeks was made against Hebrews], for that their widows were despised in every day's ministering.
2 And the twelve called together the multitude of disciples, and said, It is not rightful, that we leave the word of God, and minister to boards.
3 Therefore, brethren, behold ye men of you of good fame [behold ye men of you, of good witnessing, or fame], [seven,] full of the Holy Ghost and of wisdom, whom we shall ordain on this work;
4 for we shall be busy to prayer, and to preach the word of God. [forsooth we shall be busy to prayer and ministry, or preaching, of the word.]
5 And the word pleased before all the multitude [And the word pleased to all the multitude]; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a comeling [and Nicolas, a guest, or comeling], a man of Antioch.
6 They ordained these before the sight of the apostles, and they prayed, and laid hands on them.
7 And the word of the Lord waxed, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was much multiplied; also a much company of priests obeyed to the faith.
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Acts 6:1-7
New Matthew Bible
Ministers (or deacons) are ordained in the congregation to do service in necessary things of the body so that the apostles may attend only to the word of God. Stephen is accused.
6 In those days, as the number of the disciples grew, there arose a grudge among the Greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve called all of the disciples together and said, It is not right that we should leave the word of God and serve at the tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, choose from among you seven men of good reputation, and full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint to this needful business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.
5 And this proposal pleased the whole assembly. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a convert from Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God advanced, and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly, and a great company of the priests accepted the faith.
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Acts 6:1-7
1599 Geneva Bible
6 1 The Apostles, 3 appoint the office of Deaconship, 5 to seven chosen men: 8 Of whom Stephen, full of faith, is one: 12 He is taken, 13 and accused as a transgressor of Moses’ Law.
1 And [a]in those days, as the number of the disciples grew, there arose a murmuring of the [b]Grecians towards the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the [c]daily ministering.
2 [d]Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples together, and said, It is not [e]meet that we should leave the word of God to serve the [f]tables.
3 [g]Wherefore brethren, look you out among you seven men of honest report, and full of the holy Ghost, and of wisdom, which we may appoint to this business.
4 And we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministration of the word.
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen a man full of faith and of the holy Ghost, and (A)Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a Proselyte of Antioch,
6 [h]Which they set before the Apostles: and they prayed, and [i]laid their hands on them.
7 [j]And the word of God increased, and the number of the disciples was multiplied in Jerusalem greatly, and a great company of the Priests were obedient to the [k]faith.
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- Acts 6:1 When Satan has assailed the Church without, and that to small purpose and in vain, he assaileth it within, with civil dissension and strife betwixt themselves: but the Apostles take occasion thereby to set order in the Church.
- Acts 6:1 Of their parts which of Grecians became religious Jews.
- Acts 6:1 In the bestowing of alms according to their necessity.
- Acts 6:2 The office of preaching the word and dispensing the goods of the Church, are different one from another, and not rashly to be joined together, as the Apostles do here institute: And the Apostles do not choose so much as the Deacons without the consent of the Church.
- Acts 6:2 It is such a matter, as we may in no wise accept of it.
- Acts 6:2 Banquets though by the name of tables, other offices are also meant, which are annexed to it, such as pertain to the care of the poor.
- Acts 6:3 In choosing of Deacons (and much more of Ministers) there must be examination both of their learning and manners of life.
- Acts 6:6 The ancient Church did with laying on of hands, as it were consecrate to the Lord, such as were lawfully elected.
- Acts 6:6 This ceremony of laying on of hands came from the Jews, who used this order both in public affairs, and offering of sacrifices, and also in private prayers and blessings, as appeareth Gen. 28, and the Church observed this ceremony, 1 Tim. 5:22; Acts 8:17, but here is no mention made either of cream, or shaving, or raising, or crossing, etc.
- Acts 6:7 An happy end of temptation.
- Acts 6:7 This is the figure Metonymy, meaning by faith, the doctrine of the Gospel which engendereth faith.
Acts 6:1-7
Authorized (King James) Version
6 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we 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, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
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Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
KJV reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK.