Acts 6:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 6:1-7

Having seen the church's struggles with her enemies, and triumphed with her in her victories, we now come to take a view of the administration of her affairs at home; and here we have, I. An unhappy disagreement among some of the church-members, which might have been of ill consequence, but was prudently accommodated and taken up in time (Acts 6:1): When the number of the disciples (for so Christians were at first called, learners of Christ) was multiplied to many thousands in Jerusalem, there... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 6:1-7

6:1-7 In those days, when the number of the disciples was growing, there arose a complaint of the Greek-speaking Jews against the Hebrew-speaking Jews, in which they alleged that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. The Twelve sent for the main body of the disciples and said, "It is not fitting that we should abandon the word of God to serve tables. So, brethren, look about for seven attested men from your number, men full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, and we will... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 6:2

Then the twelve ,.... The twelve apostles, as the Syriac version reads; for their number was now complete, Matthias being chosen in the room of Judas: these being informed of the murmur there was between the two sorts of believers, the Hebrew and thc Hellenistic Jews, called the multitude of the disciples unto them ; either the hundred and twenty, the original members of the church, which first formed it, and on whom the Holy Ghost descended on the day of Pentecost; or rather the whole... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 6:2

It is not reason - Ουκ αρεστον εστι , it is not pleasing, proper, or fitting, that we should leave the word of God, that we should give up ourselves, or confide to others, the doctrine of salvation which God has commanded us to preach unto the people. And serve tables - Become providers of daily bread for your widows and poor: others can do this, to whom our important office is not intrusted. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 6:2

Verse 2 2.The twelve having the multitude called unto them It is a point [proof] of patience and meekness that the apostles are no more moved. (314) It is a point of prudence and godly carefulness, in that they prevent the evil which began to arise, (315) without deferring the remedy. For after that every dissension and division hath gathered strength, it is a wound hard to be cured. By this assembly it appeareth that the Church was governed by order and reason, so that the apostles had the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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