Acts 6:1-4

Choosing of the Seven

1 Now at this time while the ¹disciples were ²increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the ³Hellenistic Jews against the native ⁴Hebrews, because their ⁵widows were being overlooked in ⁶the daily serving of food.

2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.

3 "Therefore, ⁷brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, ⁸full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.

4 "But we will ⁹devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

Acts 6:1-4 In-Context

1 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.

2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.

3 "Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.

4 "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.

6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

7 The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

Cross References

• 1. Acts 11:26
• 2. Acts 2:47; Acts 6:7
• 3. Acts 9:29; Acts 11:20
• 4. 2 Corinthians 11:22; Philippians 3:5
• 5. Acts 9:39, 41; 1 Timothy 5:3
• 6. Acts 4:35; Acts 11:29
• 7. John 21:23; Acts 1:15
• 8. Acts 2:4
• 9. Acts 1:14

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "in these days"
• [b]. Jews who adopted the Gr language and much of Gr culture through acculturation
• [c]. Lit "multitude"
• [d]. Or "service"