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The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 6:1-2

The call for order in the Church. It arose out of the very fact of increase. The association of people together demands organization and order. A few persons may have such an interest in each other and such a knowledge of each other as will enable them to dwell together in peace without formal rules, and this is abundantly illustrated from family life; but large aggregations of people, mostly unknown to each other, that are based only on some common sentiment on a particular subject, must... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 6:1-6

Institution of deacons. Notice: 1. The increase of officers was the natural outcome of increase in number of disciples, illustrating the great principle that the life of Christianity develops the organization and not depends upon it. 2. The spirit of charity was the underworking cause of the need of more rule. Had there been little to distribute, there would have been no ground of complaint. 3. The Jewish element was still uppermost in the Church. It was as yet an unordered... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 6:1-6

The first crystallizings of ecclesicastical institution. This short section has much to say, more to suggest, to us. The day of Pentecost had receded no distance whatever into the past; the holy enthusiasm of the days when new-born disciples sold their individual property in order to turn it into common property was literally but of yesterday; and Jerusalem, Christianity's cradle of associations the venerable sacredness of which was now superseded by a new, a young, a surpassing... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 6:1-7

Prosperity and peace within the Church. These opening verses prove to us that a condition of exceptional virtue may abruptly pass into one of common infirmity. From the height of holy enthusiasm the Church falls down, by steep and quick descent, into the depth of unlovely wrangling. From all the verses of the text we gather— I. THAT PROSPERITY BRINGS DANGER TO A CHRISTIAN CHURCH AS WELL AS TO INDIVIDUAL SOULS . "When the number of the disciples was multiplied... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 6:1-7

The appointment of deacons. I. THE SPIRIT OF STRIFE . 1. It arose between the Hellenists and the Hebrews, members of the same nation, of the same blood, of the same Church, but of different places of birth, education, and, above all, of different languages. Language is, perhaps, the greatest divider between man and man. So many of those associations which govern the mind are rooted in the sound of our native tongue. We may notice that Christianity reconciles the difference of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 6:1-8

Wise counsels. The prosperity of the Church was great. The first hypocrisy had been plucked up by the roots and burnt, so to speak in the presence of the whole congregation. A holy awe had mingled with faith and love to give intense reality to the religion of the disciples. The Spirit of God had borne active witness to the word of the apostles by signs and wonders; and the healing of many sick had conciliated multitudes and attached them to the Church. The apostles had been strengthened... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 6:2

And for then, A.V.; fit for reasons, A.V.; forsake for leave, A.V. It is not fit; literally, pleasing; ἀρεστόν is often the rendering of בוֹט in the LXX .; e.g. Gem Acts 16:6 ; Deuteronomy 12:28 . In Exodus 15:26 , Deuteronomy 6:18 , etc., it stands for רשָׁיָ , that which is right. Serve tables . The English reader should remember that the "ministration" of Deuteronomy 6:1 , the "serve" of this verse, and the "deacon" which was the name of the new... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 6:1

In those days ... - The first part of this chapter contains an account of the appointment of “deacons.” It may be asked, perhaps, why the apostles did not appoint these officers at the first organization of the church? To this, question we may reply, that it was better to defer the appointment until an occasion should occur when it would appear to be manifestly necessary and proper. When the church was small, its alms could be distributed by the apostles themselves without difficulty But when... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 6:2

Then the twelve - That is, the apostles. Matthias had been added to them after the apostasy of Judas, which had completed the original number.The multitude of the disciples - It is not necessary to suppose that all the disciples were convened, which amounted to many thousands, but that the business was laid before a large number; or perhaps “the multitude” here means those merely who were more particularly interested in the matter, and who had been engaged in the complaint.It is not reason -... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 6:1

Acts 6:1. In those days Some time after the fact last recorded had taken place; when the number of the disciples was multiplied For it appears their number increased continually and rapidly, notwithstanding the opposition made by the priests and rulers to the preaching of the gospel: indeed that opposition, instead of checking the progress of Christianity, contributed to it: there arose a murmuring The historian’s manner of speaking, πληθυνοντων των μαθητων εγενετο γογγυσμος , the... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 6:1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 6:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 6:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 6:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 6:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 6:1-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 6:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 6:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 6:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 6:1

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