Acts 6:1, commentary and pictures

As the number of disciples rapidly multiplied, a murmuring arose of the Greek-speaking Jews against the Hebrew-speaking Jews because the Grecian widows were being overlooked and neglected in the daily distribution of assistance. The Grecians were Jews from other countries of the Roman Empire who spoke only Greek, while the Hebrews were Jews of Palestine and by far the larger number. That daily ministration was the orderly disbursement of funds set apart for widows, orphans, and the worthy poor. Any partiality in that care was grievous to God and contrary to the gospel, and the complaint threatened division, so it called for prompt action to remove its cause and restore harmony. The church answered by choosing seven trustworthy, Spirit-filled, wise men to oversee the business and care of the poor, so the apostles could be relieved of temporal affairs and continue in prayer and the ministry of the word.

The Widows Neglected

In those days the number of the disciples was rapidly multiplied, and it continued to grow despite opposition to the apostles. That rapid growth increased the burdens of the leaders and exposed practical needs in the daily care of widows that required careful organization and wider distribution of responsibilities so growth would not be endangered.

The Grecians were Greek-speaking Jews, residents of other countries where the Greek language was spoken, Jews who had lived in the Roman Empire and spoke only Greek. The Hebrews were Hebrew-speaking Jews of Palestine, Jews by birth who spoke Hebrew, and by far the larger number of converts. Those who held the other wording taught that many Hebrew-speaking Jews had lived in the Roman Empire and spoke only Greek.

The Grecians and the Jews of Palestine had a history of distrust and antagonism, with longstanding distrust between Jews by birth and residents of other countries. Though Christian love had united the believers, suspicion revived those old divisions and jealousies and could still stir conflict.

A murmuring arose of the Grecians against the Hebrews because the Grecian widows were being overlooked and neglected in the daily distribution of assistance and provision. They were said to receive less generous support than the needy among the Hebrew widows, getting less than Hebrew widows while Greek-speaking converts complained their widows were receiving less. The matter was brought before the gathered believers rather than decided by one person.

The daily ministration was the orderly disbursement of funds appropriated to widows, orphans, and the worthy poor in the church's daily care. Widows and the fatherless were to be supported through special donations, while tithe was consecrated to the Lord and reserved for the support of the ministry.

Any partiality or unequal treatment in that care would have been grievous to God and opposed to the spirit of the gospel, violating it. The complaint threatened division and dissatisfaction, so it called for prompt measures and prompt action to remove its cause and to restore peace, harmony, and fairness among the believers.

Organizing for Ministry Needs

The complaint was not settled by one person alone but was brought before the gathered believers for action. The apostles called the believers together to take prompt measures to meet the need. The remedy was to share the work among several chosen men so the apostles could continue in prayer and preaching. Those seven were to work closely together, which shows the care needed in selecting people for church service and in assigning responsibility.

The church answered the murmuring by choosing and appointing seven qualified men to oversee the work. They were set apart with prayer and the laying on of hands and entrusted with service so the church could preserve peace and unity. Their charge was to attend to the business of the cause and the care of the poor, to attend to individual needs, and to manage financial interests. This organization of practical care helped unite the church and freed the apostles for preaching.

Those entrusted with this work were to be trustworthy, Spirit-filled, and wise. They were to be full of faith and the wisdom of the Spirit, devoted people of faith and prayer. They were to be God-fearing, honest and steadfast men, filled with the Holy Spirit, whose character and fitness for the work were known. Such officers were to distribute resources fairly so that no believer would lack life's necessities.

Selection for such duties was to be made without haste. It was to be brought before the Lord with earnest prayer and reliance on God for guidance. This care was required even though the apostles were men of faith filled with the Holy Spirit and able to perform mighty works and miracles. The men chosen were then set apart with prayer and the laying on of hands.

Stephen was chosen first and placed at the head with supervision of the disbursement of funds appropriated to widows, orphans, and the worthy poor. Although a Jew by birth and religion, he spoke the Greek language and knew the customs and manners of the Greeks. This selection met the minds of all and quieted the dissatisfaction and murmuring.

The verse opens a Bible plan and gospel order that separates practical administration from spiritual ministry. By an orderly system of responsible officers, church business and practical service are organized so gospel ministers are not burdened with secular affairs. Church leaders should not take personal charge of every task nor be tied to one place by business duties, but should delegate necessary service to qualified people. Difficult matters beyond the officers' judgment are to be brought to those overseeing the whole church.

By delegating business and temporal responsibilities, the apostles were relieved as far as possible of secular affairs. They were thus able to continue in prayer and the ministry of the word. They could give time to prayer, study, and teaching, and carry the message to many communities without endangering the church's growth. The complaint made it necessary to distribute church responsibilities more widely for this purpose.

The same pattern calls for appointing trustworthy officers to distribute resources fairly. It is also a model for appointing at least seven honest, steadfast, Spirit-filled men to share the General Conference president's duties so authority is not concentrated in one person. The appointment of the seven was greatly blessed by God to unite the church and advance it in numbers and strength, with even a great company of priests becoming obedient to the faith. That blessing came both because the apostles were freed to preach Christ and because the seven served with zeal and power. Ordination to the special business of distribution did not shut the seven out from teaching, for they were fully qualified to instruct in the truth and worked earnestly and successfully.