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÷÷ACTS 6
ACTS 6
PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS
| UBS4 | NKJV | NRSV | TEV | NJB |
| The Appointment of the Seven | Seven Chosen to Serve | Choice of the Seven | The Seven Helpers | The Institution of the Seven |
| 6:1-6 | 6:1-7 | 6:1-7 | 6:1-4 | 6:1-6 |
| 6:5-6 | ||||
| 6:7 | 6:7 | 6:7 | ||
| Th e Arrest of Stephen | Stephen Accused of Blasphemy | Preaching and Martyrdom of Stephen | The Arrest of Stephen | Stephen's Arrest |
| (6:8-7:2a) | ||||
| 6:8-15 | 6:8-15 | 6:8-7:2a | 6:8-15 | 6:8-15 |
READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible Interpretation Seminar")
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO ACTS 6
WORD AND PHRASE STUDY
÷ACTS 6:1-6
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: ACTS 6:1-6
1Now 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. 2So 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. 3Therefore, 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." 5The 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. 6And
these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.
6:1 "disciples" This is literally "learners" from the VERB manthanō. It is important to realize that the NT emphasizes "becoming disciples" (cf. Matt. 28:19; Act 14:21), not merely making a decision. This designation for believers is unique to the Gospels and Acts. In the Letters, the terms "brothers" and "saints" are used to designate the followers of Jesus.
SPECIAL TOPIC: DISCIPLES' CHARACTERISTICS
▣ "were increasing in number" This is a PRESENT ACTIVE PARTICIPLE. Growth always causes tension.
▣ "complaint" This term means "to speak privately in a low voice" (i.e., private conversations between individuals, Moulton, Analytical Lexicon, p. 81). It occurs several times in the LXX of Exodus describing Israelite complaining during the Wilderness Wandering Period (cf. Exod. 16:7,8; 17:3; also Num. 11:1; 14:27). This same word is found in Luke 5:30 and several times in John (cf. John 6:41,43,61; 7:12,32).
▣ "the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews" This refers to believing Jews, those who were from Palestine (called Hebrews) and spoke primarily Aramaic and those who grew up in the Diaspora and spoke primarily Koine Greek (called Hellenists). There were certainly cultural and racial overtones in this situation.
▣ "the daily serving of food" The early church followed the patterns of the Synagogue. Every week funds (i.e., alms) were collected to feed the poor. This money was used to buy food, which was given out weekly by the Synagogue and daily by the early church.
It seems from history that many Jewish families who lived and worked in other countries returned to Palestine in the father's later years so that he could be buried in the Promised Land. Therefore, there were many widows in Palestine, especially the Jerusalem area.
Judaism had an institutional (i.e., Mosaic Covenant) concern for the poor, alien, and widows (cf. Exod. 22:21-24; Deut. 10:18; 24:17). Luke's writings show that Jesus, too, cared for widows (cf. Luke 7:11-15; 18:7-8; 21:1-4). It is, then, natural that the early church, patterning itself on both the Synagogue social services and the teachings of Jesus, would have an overt concern for church widows.
6:2 "The twelve" This was the collective title for the Apostles in Acts. Those were the first specially chosen companions of Jesus during His earthly ministry, starting in Galilee.
▣ "summoned the congregation of the disciples" Exactly what is meant here is uncertain in this sense that the church was made up of several thousand people at this point, so no home or business was large enough to accommodate this gathering. This must have taken place in the temple itself, probably Solomon's Portico (cf. Acts 3:11; 5:12).
This is the first example of what came to be called congregational polity (cf. Acts 6:3,5; 15:22). This is one of three biblical ways the modern church organizes itself:
All of these polity forms are present in Acts 15.
▣ "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables" This is not a disparaging word about serving, but the beginning of the sensed need for a division of pastoral responsibilities among the people of God. These were not offices, but delegated functions. Gospel proclamation must take priority over some needed ministries. The Apostles were uniquely called and qualified for their task. Nothing should take away from that task. This was not an "either/or," but a "both/and" situation.
The word "serve" is the common Greek term for service, diakonia. Unfortunately many modern commentators, looking for guidelines for the later office of deacon (cf. Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8-10,12-13), have used this text to define that ministry task. However, these are not "deacons"; they are lay ministers/preachers. Only eisegesis can find deacons in Acts 6.
It is interesting to me how this early church conducted its ministry without buildings.
| 6:3 | |
| NASB, NRSV, Peshitta | "select" |
| NKJV | "seek out" |
| TEV | "choose" |
| NJB | "must select" |
| REB | "pick" |
This is an AORIST MIDDLE (deponent) IMPERATIVE. Something had to be done to restore unity and the spirit of one accord. This pastoral issue had the potential to affect the furtherance of the gospel. The church had to organize for ministry. Every believer is a called, gifted, full-time minister (cf. Eph. 4:11-16).
▣ "seven men" The reason for this number.
In the OT there is a precedent for this same process of developing a second-tier leadership (cf. Numbers 18).
SPECIAL TOPIC: SYMBOLIC NUMBERS IN SCRIPTURE, #4
| NASB, NJB | "of good reputation" |
| NKJV | "of good reputation" |
| NRSV | "of good standing" |
| TEV | "who are known to be" |
| REB, Peshitta | "of good repute" |
The differences in these English translations reflect the two different usages of this term.
▣ "full of the Spirit" The filling of the Spirit has been mentioned several times in Acts (cf. Acts 2:4; 4:8,31; 6:3,5; 7:55; 9:17; 11:24), usually in connection with the Twelve and their preaching/teaching/reaching ministries. It denotes power for ministry. The presence of the Spirit in a person's life is detectible. There is evidence in attitude, actions, and effectiveness. Widows are important, but gospel proclamation is priority (cf. Acts 6:4). See full note on "filling" at Acts 5:17.
SPECIAL TOPIC: FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT
▣ "and of wisdom" There are two kinds of wisdom in the OT.
These seven men had both!
▣ "whom we may put in charge of this task" They had a task-oriented assignment. This passage cannot be used to assert that deacons handle the business matters (KJV, "this business") of the church!
The word "task" (chraomai) means "need," not "office" (Alfred Marshall, RSV Interlinear, p. 468).
6:4 "devote ourselves" This Greek term is used in several senses.
▣ "prayer and the ministry of the word" This phrase is fronted (i.e., placed first) in the Greek sentence for emphasis. Isn't it paradoxical that it was these "seven" who were the first to catch the vision of the world mission of the gospel, not the Apostles. It was "the seven" whose preaching forced the break with Judaism, not the Apostles.
It is so shocking that the Apostles were not the initiators of the Great commission, but these Greek-speaking Jews. Acts never records them fulfilling the task assigned to them by the Apostles but instead depicts them as gospel preachers. Their qualifications seem more in line with this task than the administration and pastoral care needed by the church in Jerusalem.
Instead of bringing peace, their ministries brought conflict and persecution!
6:5 "Stephen" His name means "victor's crown." All of the "seven" had Greek names, but most Jews of the Diaspora had both a Hebrew name and a Greek name. Just the names themselves do not mean they were all Greek-speaking Jews. Reason says there may have been both groups present (see note at v. 1).
▣ "full of faith" The term faith came from an OT word (i.e., emeth) that originally meant a person whose feet were in a stable stance. It came to be used as imagery for someone who was trustworthy, faithful, dependable, and loyal. In the NT this term is used for the believer's response to God's promise through Christ. We trust His trustworthiness! We faith His faithfulness. Stephen trusted in God's trustworthiness; therefore, he was characterized by God's character (i.e., full of faith, faithfulness).
SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH and FAITHFULNESS IN THE OT (אמן)
▣ "full of. . .the Holy Spirit" There are many different phrases which describe the ministry of the Spirit to believers:
To be full of the Spirit implies two things:
It seems that one's "fullness" is related to one's continually being filled (PRESENT PASSIVE IMPERATIVE of Eph. 5:18). For "filled" see full note at Acts 5:17.
SPECIAL TOPIC: PERSONHOOD OF THE SPIRIT
▣ "Philip" There are several Philips in the NT. This one was one of the Seven. His name means "lover of horses." His ministry is told in Acts 8. He was instrumental in the revival in Samaria and a personal witness to a governmental official from Ethiopia. He is called "the evangelist" in Acts 21:8 and his daughters were also active in ministry (i.e., prophetesses, cf. Acts 21:9).
SPECIAL TOPIC: WOMEN IN THE BIBLE
▣ "Prochorus" Little is known of this person. In The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. 4, James Orr (ed.) says he became bishop of Nicomedia and was martyred at Antioch (p. 2457).
▣ "Nicanor" Nothing is known about this person in church history. His name is Greek and means "conqueror."
▣ "Timon" Nothing is known about this person in church history. His name is Greek and means "honorable."
▣ "Parmenas" This is a shortened form of Parmenides. Church tradition says he was martyred at Philippi during the reign of Trajan (cf. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. 4, p. 2248).
▣ "Nicholas, a proselyte from Antioch" More information may have been given about this man because his city may have been Luke's home. Being a Jewish proselyte involved three ritual acts:
There has been some confusion about this man in church history because there is a heretical group of a similar name mentioned in Rev. 2:14-15. Some early church fathers (i.e., Irenaeus and Hippolytus) thought he was the founder of this heretical group. Most of the church fathers who mention a connection at all think the group may have tried to use his name to assert their founder was a leader in the Jerusalem church.
6:6 "they laid their hands on them" The grammar implies that the whole church laid hands on them (cf. Acts 13:1-3), although the referent to the PRONOUN is ambiguous.
The Roman Catholic Church has used texts like this one to assert Apostolic Succession. In Baptist life we use texts like this to assert ordination (i.e., to dedicate people to a particular ministry). If it is true that all believers are called, gifted ministers (cf. Eph. 4:11-12), then there is no distinction in the NT between "clergy" and "laity." The elitism set up and propagated by biblically unsupported ecclesiastical traditions needs to be reexamined in light of NT Scripture. Laying on of hands may denote function, but not special standing or authority. Many of our denominational traditions are historically or denominationaly-based and not a clear biblical teaching or mandate. Tradition on denominational distinctives is not a problem until it is raised to the level of Scriptural authority.
SPECIAL TOPIC: LAYING ON OF HANDS IN THE BIBLE
÷ACTS 6:7
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: ACTS 6:7
7The 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.
6:7 "The word of God" This refers to the gospel of Jesus Christ. His life, death, resurrection, and teaching about God form the new way of viewing the Old Covenant (cf. Matt. 5:17-48). Jesus is the word (cf. John 1:1; 14:6). Jesus is Lord of Scripture (cf. Matt. 5:21-48). Christianity is a Person! See full note at Acts 4:31.
SPECIAL TOPIC: THE KERYGMA OF THE EARLY CHURCH
▣ "kept on spreading" All three VERBS in Acts 6:7 are IMPERFECT TENSE. This is a central theme in Acts. God's word is spreading by people trusting in Christ and becoming a part of the new covenant people of God (cf. Acts 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5; 19:20; 28:30-31).
This may be an allusion to God's promises to Abraham about the numerical growth of his family (i.e., stars, dust, sand), who became the old covenant people of God (cf. Acts 7:17; Gen. 17:4-8; 18:18; 28:3; 35:11), but now a worldwide family of nations.
▣ "a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith" This was one of the causes of the Jewish leadership (i.e., Sadducees) unrest over Christianity. Those who knew the OT well were being convinced that Jesus of Nazareth was truly the promised Messiah. The inner circle of Judaism was cracking!
The summary statements of growth may be a key to the structure of the book (cf. Acts 2:47; 5:14; 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5; 19:20; 28:31). See Introduction, "Purpose and Structure."
▣ "the faith" This term may have several distinct connotations:
In several passages, such as 2 Thess. 3:2, it is difficult to know which sense Paul had in mind.
SPECIAL TOPIC: FAITH, BELIEVE, or TRUST
÷ACTS 6:8-15
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: ACTS 6:8-15
8And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and
signs among the people. 9But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians
and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. 10But they were unable to cope with the
wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak
blasphemous words against Moses and against God." 12And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes,
and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council. 13They put forward false witnesses who
said, "This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; 14for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus,
will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us." 15And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting
in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.
6:8 "Stephen" He was one of the Greek speaking "Seven" elected in chapter 6.
▣ "full of grace and power" "Full of grace" refers to the blessing of God on his life and ministry.
This term "power" relates to the next phrase, "performing great signs and wonders."
▣ "was performing great wonders and signs" This is an IMPERFECT TENSE (like Acts 6:7). This possibly occurred before his choice as one of the Seven. Stephen's gospel message was continually corroborated by his person (i.e., full of grace) and power (i.e., signs and wonders).
SPECIAL TOPIC: WONDERFUL THINGS (OT)
6:9 "some men from. . .some from" There is a question concerning how one interprets how many groups rose up against Stephen.
The Greek GENITIVE MASCULINE PLURAL ARTICLE (tōn) is repeated twice.
▣ "from what is called" The reason for this phrase is that the term "freedman" is a Latin word; therefore, it had to be interpreted for clarity. Apparently these were Jews who had been taken into foreign lands as slaves (military or economic), but had now returned to Palestine as freedmen, but still Koine Greek was their first language.
6:10 Not only was Stephen's gospel message confirmed by power signs, but apparently it was logically persuasive. It fulfills this prophecy of Jesus in Luke 12:11-12; 21:15. Acts 7 is only one example of Stephen's powerful preaching.
▣ "the Spirit" In the Greek text there is no way to distinguish capitals; therefore, this is the interpretation of the translators. A capital "S" would refer to the Holy Spirit, a small "s" to the human spirit (KJV, NRSV footnote, REB, cf. Acts 7:59; 17:16; 18:25; Rom. 1:9; 8:16; 1 Cor. 2:11; 5:4; 16:18; 2 Cor. 2:13; 7:13; 12:18; Gal. 6:18; Phil. 4:23). This may be an allusion to Prov. 20:27.
SPECIAL TOPIC: SPIRIT (pneuma) IN THE NT
SPECIAL TOPIC: PERSONHOOD OF THE SPIRIT
6:11 "they secretly induced men to say" The term "induced" can mean
This is the same technique used against Jesus (cf. Matt. 26:61) and Paul (cf. Acts 21:28). Their charge was a violation of Exod. 20:7, which carried the death penalty.
▣ "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses" Stephen's sermon in Acts 7 answers this charge. Whether Acts 7 was typical of Stephen's gospel preaching or a special sermon meant to answer this specific charge is uncertain, but Stephen probably often used the OT in his sermons to assert Jesus' Messiahship.
SPECIAL TOPIC: PAUL'S VEIWS OF THE MOSAIC LAW
▣ "and against God" These Jews put God after Moses! Their very sentence structure reveals the perception problem. Moses' Law and its interpretation by the rabbis (Talmud) had become ultimate.
6:12 "the elders and the scribes. . .the Council" The phrase "elders and scribes" is often a shortened designation for the members of the Sanhedrin, which is referred to in this context by the term "the Council." It was the religious authority of the Jewish nation in the Roman period before A.D. 70. It was made up of
It totaled seventy leaders from the Jerusalem area.
6:13 "this man" This is a Semitic way to show contempt. This phrase is often used of Jesus. He is even called "so and so" in the Talmud.
▣ "speaks against this holy place and the Law" This phrase is an extension of the charge in Acts 6:11. This may refer to Stephen's affirmation of
Jesus saw Himself as the "new temple," the new center of worship, the new meeting place of God and humanity (cf. Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:34). God's judgment was coming on Herod's building (i.e., A.D. 70).
Stephen's preaching about a full and free forgiveness in Jesus was probably the source of "speaks against the Law." The gospel message reduces "the Mosaic Covenant" to a historical witness instead of a means of salvation (cf. Galatians 3 and the NT book of Hebrews; also see SPECIAL TOPIC: PAUL'S VIEWS OF THE MOSAIC LAW).
For first century Jews this was radical teaching, blasphemy! This truly departs from a typical OT understanding of monotheism, salvation, and the unique place of Israel. The NT has a radical reoriented focus (i.e., Jesus not Israel, grace not human merit).
SPECIAL TOPIC: WHY ARE OT COVENANT PROMISES SO DIFFERENT FROM NT COVENANT PROMISES?
6:14 In a sense their charges were true! These two charges were designed to stir up both the Sadducees (i.e., "destroy this place") and the Pharisees (i.e., "alter the customs which Moses handed down").
The temple in Jesus' day represented Judaism. The destruction of the temple brought an end to the ability to perform the Law of Moses (as did the destruction of the temple by Babylon). The fall and complete judgment of YHWH fell on rabbinical Judaism with the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70 by General Titus (later Emperor).
I am becoming more and more convinced on a partial preterist interpretation affecting
▣ "this Nazarene, Jesus" This title my have Messianic significance.
SPECIAL TOPIC: JESUS THE NAZARENE
6:15 "fixing their gaze on him" This is a literary device often used by Luke. It denotes uninterrupted attention (cf. Luke 4:20; 22:56; Acts 1:10; 3:4,12; 6:15; 7:55; 10:4; 11:6; 13:9; 14:9; 23:1).
▣ "his face like the face of an angel" This may have been similar to
This was imagery denoting one who had been in the presence of God. It may have been an eyewitness detail (from Saul/Paul).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
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