Acts 6 1

Acts 6:1 kjv

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

Acts 6:1 nkjv

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

Acts 6:1 niv

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

Acts 6:1 esv

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.

Acts 6:1 nlt

But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.

Acts 6 verses

Acts 6 1 Meaning

Acts 6:1 records the first internal conflict within the rapidly growing early Christian church. As the number of disciples swelled, a grievance arose from the Hellenistic (Greek-speaking) Jews against the Hebraic (Aramaic-speaking) Jews. The complaint was that the widows belonging to the Hellenistic group were being overlooked or neglected in the daily distribution of food and aid, highlighting a practical social and administrative challenge within the nascent community.

Acts 6 1 Context

Acts chapter 6 opens directly following a period of unprecedented growth and powerful witness by the early church. Chapters 2, 4, and 5 repeatedly emphasize the rapidly increasing numbers of believers, marked by the Holy Spirit's power and apostolic miracles. However, this growth, while spiritually remarkable, brought forth practical administrative challenges. The common practice of early believers sharing their possessions and distributing aid to those in need, including daily provisions for widows, was now straining the system.

Historically, Jerusalem in the 1st century AD housed various Jewish communities. The "Hebraic Jews" primarily spoke Aramaic, were typically native to Palestine, and followed local Jewish traditions closely. The "Hellenistic Jews," by contrast, were Greek-speaking Jews, often immigrants or those from the Diaspora (living outside Palestine), who had adopted more aspects of Greek culture while retaining their Jewish faith. Pre-existing cultural differences and potential prejudices, which likely existed within broader Judaism, subtly manifested within the Christian community, leading to the Hellenistic Jewish widows feeling neglected in the daily aid distribution compared to their Hebraic counterparts. This administrative oversight posed a significant threat to the unity and peace of the burgeoning church.

Acts 6 1 Word analysis

• Now (Ἐν δὲ ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις - En de tais hēmerais tautais): A transitional phrase, signifying "In these days," connecting this event closely to the previous narrative of church expansion. It indicates the problem emerged as the church grew, not as an isolated incident.
• as the disciples were multiplying (πληθυνόντων τῶν μαθητῶν - plēthynontōn tōn mathētōn): The present participle highlights continuous, active multiplication. The term "disciples" (μαθηταί - mathētai) refers to all believers, not just the Twelve. This emphasizes that the church's numerical success directly contributed to the arising issue, posing a test for the rapidly expanding community.
• there arose (ἐγένετο - egeneto): Literally "it came to be." This verb often introduces a new development or event, signifying that a problem surfaced and demanded attention.
• a complaint (γογγυσμός - gongysmos): This key term translates to "murmuring," "grumbling," or "discontent." It evokes parallels with Israel's complaints in the wilderness (e.g., Ex 16, Num 11). Such murmuring can stem from dissatisfaction, lack of trust, or a perception of unfairness, threatening the unity and spiritual health of the community. It suggests an internal tension.
• by the Hellenistic Jews (τῶν Ἑλληνιστῶν - tōn Hellēnistōn): These were Greek-speaking Jews. Their language and often their cultural practices differed from Aramaic-speaking Jews, even if they were devout believers. The complaint suggests a perception of partiality or systemic oversight based on these cultural/linguistic lines within the church's charitable operations.
• against the Hebraic Jews (πρὸς τοὺς Ἑβραίους - pros tous Hebraious): These were Aramaic-speaking, primarily Palestinian Jews, often considered more traditional. They were presumably the dominant group in the Jerusalem church, particularly among its leaders. The complaint implies that they, consciously or unconsciously, favored their own.
• because (ὅτι - hoti): Introduces the reason for the complaint.
• their widows (αἱ χῆραι αὐτῶν - hai chērai autōn): "Widows" were a highly vulnerable demographic in ancient society, often lacking family support or independent means. Jewish law and tradition, strongly emphasized in the early church, mandated special care for them. The possessive "their" indicates the specific group associated with the Hellenistic believers.
• were being neglected (παρεθεωροῦντο - paretheōrounto): This verb means "to overlook," "disregard," or "pass by without noticing." The imperfect passive tense suggests an ongoing and systematic oversight, not a one-time error. It might have been unintentional, but it caused genuine hardship and resentment.
• in the daily distribution (ἐν τῇ διακονίᾳ τῇ καθημερινῇ - en tē diakonia tē kathēmerinē):
  • daily (καθημερινῇ - kathēmerinē): Highlights the routine, regular nature of the provision, meaning the neglect was continuous.
  • distribution/service (διακονίᾳ - diakonia): A crucial term. While literally "service," especially "waiting at tables" or "distributing food," here it refers specifically to the systematic ministry of relief or material support. This is the root word from which the concept of "deacon" later emerged, illustrating that caring for the practical needs of the body is indeed a spiritual "ministry."

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• As the disciples were multiplying, there arose: This phrase encapsulates the core tension: growth, while positive, introduces complexities and necessitates new structures. It indicates that numerical increase isn't inherently free of challenges; rather, it often exposes existing or emerging issues within the community.
• A complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews: This highlights the immediate ethnic and cultural division within the church. It wasn't a theological dispute but a socio-administrative one, rooted in practical aid, yet capable of undermining unity. This also reveals the diverse composition of the early church from its inception.
• Because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution: This specifies the nature of the problem: a perceived injustice or disparity in the provision for the most vulnerable members. It emphasizes the importance of equitable and compassionate care as a marker of the church's integrity and love. The "daily distribution" points to a pre-existing charitable system within the church that, under growth, proved inadequate.

Acts 6 1 Bonus section

The seemingly administrative problem of Acts 6:1 served as a catalyst for significant positive developments in the early church. It highlighted the importance of specialized ministry gifts within the body of Christ – not all leaders are called to the same tasks. The apostles wisely discerned that their unique call to "prayer and the ministry of the word" necessitated delegating the "serving of tables" (diakonia). This event implicitly lays the groundwork for the later development of the office of deacon in the New Testament church, signifying the theological importance of practical service to others. Furthermore, the selection process, empowering the congregation to choose seven men, indicates early principles of congregational involvement and accountability in leadership selection for specific functions. The resolution demonstrated that internal challenges, when handled with humility and Spirit-led wisdom, can strengthen the church's structure and expand its capacity for ministry.

Acts 6 1 Commentary

Acts 6:1 unveils a critical moment in the early church's development. After explosive spiritual growth and divine power, the challenge shifted from external persecution to an internal, administrative problem. The complaint of neglect regarding Hellenistic Jewish widows in the daily distribution underscores that spiritual vitality alone doesn't eliminate practical friction in human communities. This "murmuring" echoes Old Testament episodes of Israel's grumbling, signifying carnal tendencies even among new believers.

Crucially, this was not a doctrinal dispute but a socio-cultural and administrative oversight. The apostles recognized it as a significant threat to unity and their primary spiritual task of prayer and the ministry of the Word. The solution that follows, detailed in Acts 6:2-6, showcases divine wisdom in delegating specific, practical responsibilities to qualified, Spirit-filled individuals. This administrative adaptation prevented the spiritual mission from being hindered by a logistical problem, establishing a pattern for the church to address internal issues through wise, prayerful, and Spirit-led organizational innovation while upholding its core purpose. The incident thus proves a pivotal point, demonstrating the church's adaptability and commitment to equitable care for all its members, especially the vulnerable.

• Examples for practical usage:
  • A rapidly growing small group encountering difficulty coordinating fellowship events for diverse members.
  • A church expanding its outreach programs discovering inefficiencies in resource allocation.
  • Any large organization where cultural or sub-group differences inadvertently lead to some feeling marginalized in the distribution of benefits or attention.