Acts 6:3-5 NIV

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 6:3

Wherefore brethren look ye out among you ,.... Or "choose out among you", as the Syriac version adds, and as the Arabic and Ethiopic versions render it; which shows that this sort of officers, deacons, must be members of the church, and of the same church to which they are ordained deacons; and that they must be chosen to that office by the whole community, or by the common suffrages and votes of the people. So the F2 T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 55. 1. Jews "did not appoint פרנס , (which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 6:4

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer ,.... Both in private for themselves, and the church; and in the houses and families of the saints, with the sick and distressed;. and in public, in the temple, or in whatsoever place they met for public worship: and to the ministry of the word ; the preaching of the Gospel, to which prayer is absolutely prerequisite, and with which it is always to be joined. These two, prayer and preaching, are the principal employment of a Gospel... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 6:5

And the saying pleased the whole multitude ,.... The speech the apostles made took with them; all things they proposed were universally approved of; the whole body of the church came into it at once unanimously; they all judged it highly reasonable, that the apostles should be eased of the burden in taking care of the poor, and that it should be transferred to some other persons, and they fixed on the following: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost ; he was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 6:3

Wherefore - look ye out among you seven men - Choose persons in whom ye can all confide, who will distribute the provisions impartially, and in due time; and let these persons be the objects of the choice both of the Hebrews and Hellenists, that all cause of murmuring and discontent may be done away. Though seven was a sacred number among the Jews, yet there does not appear to be any mystery intended here. Probably the seven men were to take each his day of service; and then there would be a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 6:4

We will give ourselves continually to prayer - Προσκαρτερησομεν , We will steadfastly and invariably attend, we will carefully keep our hearts to this work. The word is very emphatic. To prayer. - See this defined, Matthew 6:5 ; (note). Even apostles could not live without prayer; they had no independent graces; what they had could not be retained without an increase; and for this increase they must make prayer and supplication, depending continually on their God. Ministry of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 6:5

Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost - A person every way properly fitted for his work; and thus qualified to be the first martyr of the Christian Church. Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch - A heathen Greek, who had not only believed in the God of Israel, but had also received circumcision, and consequently was a proselyte of the covenant; for, had he been only a proselyte of the gate, the Jews could not have associated with him. On the word proselyte, see the note on Exodus... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 6:3

Verse 3 3.Therefore, brethren, look out. Now we see to what end deacons were made. The word itself is indeed general, yet is it properly taken for those which are stewards for the poor. Whereby it appeareth how licentiously the Papists do mock God and men, who assign unto their deacons no other office but this, to have the charge of (331) the paten and chalice. Surely we need no disputation to prove that they agree in no point with the apostles. But if the readers be desirous to see any more... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 6:4

Verse 4 4.And we will give ourselves unto prayer. They show again that they have too much business otherwise, wherein they may exercise themselves during their whole life. For the old proverb agreeth hereunto very fitly, which was used sometimes in the solemn rites, do this. Therefore, they use the word [ προσκαρτερησαι ] which signifieth to be, as it were, fastened and tied to anything. Therefore, pastors must not think that they have so done their duty that they need to do no more when they... read more

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 6:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 6:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 6:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 6:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 6:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 6:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 6:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 6:4

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