reason pleasing. Greek. arestos. Occurs also 3 John 1:8; 3 John 1:8 :29 . 1 John 3:22 . word. App-121 . God. App-98 . serve. App-190 . tables. i.e. the business of distribution. Figure of speech Idioma. App-6 . read more
look ye out. App-133 . among = from. App-104 . seven. App-10 . men. Greek. aner. App-123 . of honest report. Literally witnessed to, or attested. Greek. martureo. Compare Hebrews 11:2 , Hebrews 11:4 , Hebrews 11:5 , Hebrews 11:39 , Revised Version. the Holy Ghost. App-101 . The texts omit "Holy". Compare Acts 6:10 . over. App-104 . business = need. Greek. chreia, as in Acts 2:45 ; Acts 4:35 . read more
And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the word of God and serve tables.The twelve ... "shows that Matthias was one of the apostles, for it would take him to complete the list of the twelve."[5]It is not fit that we should ... Many commentators read this as if it said, "It is not fit that we should CONTINUE to serve tables," assuming that until this incident the twelve had personally distributed the food to the needy; but... read more
Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.The traditional deductions from this episode, namely, (1) that the men here appointed were installed in the office of deacon, and (2) that the work of deacons is restricted to the church's "business" affairs, are by no means necessary. McGarvey was sure that "The deacon's office was here first created and supplied with incumbents";[7] and "That no... read more
Acts 6:2. The multitude of the disciples— That is, the whole body of Christian converts; they being the persons to whom satisfaction was then due. And serve tables, is in the Greek δικκονειν τραπεζαις, to minister to, or take care of the tables, that is, of the poor;—to attend to the distribution of charitable gifts among them. read more
Acts 6:3. Of honest report,— Of good credit. Heylin. read more
2-4. the multitude—the general body of the disciples. It is not reason—The word expresses dislike; that is "We cannot submit." to leave the word of God—to have our time and attention withdrawn from preaching; which, it thus appears, they regarded as their primary duty. to serve tables—oversee the distribution of provisions. read more
3. look ye out among you—that is, ye, "the multitude," from among yourselves. seven men of honest report—good reputation (Acts 10:22; 1 Timothy 3:7). full of the Holy Ghost—not full of miraculous gifts, which would have been no qualification for the duties required, but spiritually gifted (although on two of them miraculous power did rest). and wisdom—discretion, aptitude for practical business. whom we may appoint—for while the election was vested in the Christian people, the appointment lay... read more
4. Internal conflict 6:1-7The scene shifts back to life within the church (cf. Acts 4:32 to Acts 5:11). Luke wrote this pericope to explain some administrative changes that the growth of the church made necessary. He also wanted to introduce the Hellenistic Jews who took the lead in evangelizing the Gentiles. Their activity began shortly after the event he recorded here.In this chapter we see two of Satan’s favorite methods of assailing the church that he has employed throughout history:... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 6:1-6
6:1-8:3 CHANGES IN JERUSALEMOrganizing church affairs (6:1-6)In the Jerusalem church there were two types of Jews, those brought up in Palestine who spoke Aramaic and those brought up in other places (such as Jews of the Dispersion) who spoke only Greek. The Greek-speaking Jews were known as Hellenists. Throughout Palestine there was tension between the two groups, and this tension carried over into the church. The Hellenists complained that, when widows were given their daily share from the... read more