The Appointment of the Seven Deacons
Acts 6:1-7
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Acts.6.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Εν: PREP
- δε: CONJ
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- ημεραις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- ταυταις: DEM,dat,pl,f
- πληθυνοντων: PART,pres,act,gen,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- μαθητων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- γογγυσμος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- Ελληνιστων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- προς: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- Εβραιους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- παρεθεωρουντο: VERB,impf,mp,ind,3,pl
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- διακονια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- καθημερινη: ADJ,dat,sg,f
- αι: ART,nom,pl,f
- χηραι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 6:2 (structural): Immediate narrative response: the apostles address the complaint by appointing seven to oversee the daily distribution, directly continuing the situation described in 6:1.
- Acts 2:44-45 (thematic): Early church communal sharing and distribution to meet needs provides the background practice out of which the daily distribution (and the complaint about neglected widows) arises.
- Acts 4:34-35 (thematic): Description of believers selling property and distributing proceeds to anyone in need parallels the social-economic concern in 6:1 and the church's responsibility for needy members.
- 1 Timothy 5:3-16 (thematic): Later pastoral instructions on the church's support of widows (including criteria and organization) reflect the same pastoral and administrative issue—care for widows—at stake in Acts 6:1.
- James 1:27 (thematic): Ethical summons to care for orphans and widows echoes the moral imperative motivating the distribution practices and the complaint about neglected widows in Acts 6:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now in those days, as the number of the disciples continued to increase, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
- Now in those days, as the number of the disciples was increasing, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
Acts.6.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- προσκαλεσαμενοι: PART,aor,act,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δωδεκα: NUM,acc,pl,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πληθος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- μαθητων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- ειπαν·Ουκ: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl|NEG
- αρεστον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- καταλειψαντας: VERB,aor,act,part,acc,pl,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- διακονειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- τραπεζαις·: NOUN,dat,pl,f
Parallels
- Luke 10:41-42 (thematic): Contrast between serving/household tasks and attending to the word—Martha's distracted service vs Mary who 'chose the better part' of listening to Jesus, echoing the priority given to preaching in Acts 6:2.
- Numbers 11:16-17,24-25 (structural): Moses is instructed to appoint elders to share the burden of leadership so he need not bear it alone—an Old Testament precedent for delegating practical duties so leaders can focus on primary responsibilities, mirrored in the appointment of table‑servants in Acts 6.
- 1 Timothy 3:8-13 (allusion): Qualifications and role of deacons (διακόνοι) reflect the office arising in Acts 6: appointment of men to serve tables; Acts 6 provides the narrative origin for the diaconal ministry later regulated in pastoral letters.
- 2 Timothy 4:2 (thematic): Paul's charge to 'preach the word' underscores the centrality of proclaiming Scripture and ministry of the word—echoing the apostles' concern in Acts 6:2 not to neglect the ministry of the word by being distracted with serving tasks.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, "It is not right for us to abandon the word of God in order to serve at tables.
- So the twelve summoned the whole body of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should neglect the word of God to serve at tables.
Acts.6.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- επισκεψασθε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- δε: CONJ
- αδελφοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ανδρας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- εξ: PREP
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- μαρτυρουμενους: PART,pres,pass,acc,pl,m
- επτα: NUM,acc,pl,neut
- πληρεις: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- σοφιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- καταστησομεν: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,pl
- επι: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- χρειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ταυτης·: PRON,gen,sg,dem
Parallels
- Acts 6:5 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel in the same episode: the names chosen (including Stephen) are described as 'full of faith and of the Holy Spirit,' echoing the requirement here for men 'full of the Spirit and of wisdom.'
- Numbers 11:16–17,24–25 (structural): Earlier biblical precedent for selecting helpers/elders to share leadership burdens: Moses is told to appoint seventy elders and the Spirit rests on them so they can assist—paralleling the appointment of seven men empowered by the Spirit to serve the community.
- Exodus 31:1–5 (verbal): God 'filled' Bezalel with the Spirit and with skill, intelligence and knowledge to perform a task—language and conceptually similar to calling men 'full of the Spirit and of wisdom' for a specific ministry task.
- 1 Timothy 3:8–13 (thematic): Qualifications for deacons in the Pastoral Epistles (respectable, tested, faithful in household) parallel the functional role and moral/ethical expectations for the seven chosen to oversee the distribution to widows.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty;
- Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task.
Acts.6.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ημεις: PRON,nom,pl,1
- δε: CONJ
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- προσευχη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- διακονια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- λογου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- προσκαρτερησομεν: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,pl
Parallels
- Acts 2:42 (thematic): The early community 'devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer'—echoing commitment both to teaching (the word) and to prayer found in Acts 6:4.
- Acts 6:2 (structural): Immediate context: the apostles decline to 'neglect the word of God to serve tables,' which frames 6:4's decision to concentrate on prayer and the ministry of the word.
- 2 Timothy 4:2 (verbal): Paul's charge to 'preach the word; be ready in season and out of season' parallels the apostles' decision to devote themselves to the ministry (service) of the word.
- Luke 5:16 (thematic): Jesus' habit of withdrawing to pray ('he often withdrew to lonely places and prayed') reflects the model of sustained devotion to prayer that Acts 6:4 endorses.
- 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (thematic): Paul's exhortation that first of all petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people underscores prayer as a primary corporate and pastoral responsibility, resonating with Acts 6:4's priority on prayer.
Alternative generated candidates
- but we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
- But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Acts.6.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ηρεσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- λογος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ενωπιον: PREP
- παντος: ADJ,gen,sg,masc
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πληθους: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- εξελεξαντο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,pl
- Στεφανον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ανδρα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- πληρης: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- πιστεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- αγιου: ADJ,gen,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- Φιλιππον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Προχορον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Νικανορα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Τιμωνα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Παρμεναν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Νικολαον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- προσηλυτον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- Αντιοχεα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 6:3-4 (structural): Immediate context describing the appointment of seven men to serve; sets forth the criteria and the process that leads to the selection named in 6:5.
- Acts 6:8 (verbal): Continuing description of Stephen as 'full of faith and of the Holy Spirit' (similar wording), showing the same characterization applied to him in his ministry.
- Acts 11:24 (verbal): About Barnabas: 'a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith' — virtually the same formula used to describe leaders characterized by Spirit and faith.
- Acts 2:4 (thematic): The disciples being filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost provides the background theme of Spirit-empowerment for those described as 'full of the Holy Spirit' in Acts 6:5.
- Acts 1:23-26 (structural): Another example of communal selection of a leader (Matthias) by the early church, paralleling the communal appointment process that produced the seven in Acts 6.
Alternative generated candidates
- And what they said pleased the whole gathering; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch.
- And what they said pleased the whole assembly, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.
Acts.6.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- εστησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- ενωπιον: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αποστολων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- προσευξαμενοι: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,pl,m
- επεθηκαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- χειρας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
Parallels
- Acts 13:3 (verbal): The church prayed and fasted and then laid hands on Barnabas and Saul for mission; parallels Acts 6:6's sequence of prayer and laying on of hands for commissioning.
- Acts 8:17 (verbal): Peter and John laid hands on Samaritan believers so they would receive the Holy Spirit—another instance of apostles laying on hands to confer Spirit/authority.
- 1 Timothy 4:14 (allusion): Paul reminds Timothy of the gift given through prophecy when the elders laid hands on him—ties laying on of hands to the conferral of gifts/office (ordination).
- Hebrews 6:2 (thematic): Lists 'the laying on of hands' as a basic Christian practice; provides theological/ritual background for the practice attested in Acts 6:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- These they set before the apostles; and after praying they laid their hands on them.
- These they set before the apostles, and after they had prayed they laid their hands on them.
Acts.6.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- λογος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ηυξανεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- επληθυνετο: VERB,impf,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αριθμος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- μαθητων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- Ιερουσαλημ: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- σφοδρα: ADV
- πολυς: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- τε: CONJ
- οχλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ιερεων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- υπηκουον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- πιστει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 2:41 (thematic): Both passages report large numeric growth of the early community in Jerusalem following proclamation of the word; Acts 6:7 continues the theme of converts added in Acts 2:41 (about 3,000).
- Acts 4:4 (verbal): Similar report that 'many who heard the word believed' and that the number of believers swelled (about 5,000), echoing the language of rapid expansion in Acts 6:7.
- Acts 5:14 (verbal): Directly parallels the formula of increasing numbers — 'more were added to the Lord' — underscoring steady numerical growth of believers in Jerusalem as stated in Acts 6:7.
- Acts 6:1 (structural): Immediate context: the complaint about Hellenist widows and the appointment of the Seven arise from the community's growth; Acts 6:7 summarizes the result of that expansion in Jerusalem, including priestly conversions.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
- And the word of God continued to advance; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
And in those days, as the number of the disciples was increasing, a murmuring arose: the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews, because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the Twelve summoned the whole multitude of the disciples and said, 'It is not right that we should abandon the word of God to serve tables.'
Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.
They presented these men to the apostles; and after prayer they laid hands on them. And the word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a large number of the priests became obedient to the faith.