Acts 6 3

Acts 6:3 kjv

Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Acts 6:3 nkjv

Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

Acts 6:3 niv

Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them

Acts 6:3 esv

Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.

Acts 6:3 nlt

And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.

Acts 6 verses

Acts 6 3 Meaning

Acts 6:3 outlines the qualifications for individuals chosen to serve the early Christian community, particularly in the daily distribution of food. The apostles, facing a practical issue of neglect among Hellenistic Jewish widows, instructed the congregation to select seven men who possessed specific virtues: a good public reputation, spiritual fullness by the Holy Spirit, and practical wisdom. These chosen men would then be formally appointed by the apostles to manage the charitable distribution, thereby freeing the apostles to concentrate on prayer and the ministry of God's Word. This verse marks a pivotal moment in the early church's organization, establishing a model for servant leadership and the division of labor based on spiritual giftedness and practical needs.

Acts 6 3 Context

Acts chapter 6 opens with a growing problem within the rapidly expanding early church: the Hellenistic Jewish widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food, causing murmuring against the Hebraic Jews. This specific logistical challenge threatened the unity and spiritual health of the community. In response, the twelve apostles recognized that devoting their time to administrative tasks, even crucial ones like food distribution, would divert them from their primary divine mandate of prayer and the ministry of God's Word. Acts 6:3 thus introduces their solution: a proposal for the congregation to choose capable men for this specific "business" or "service," demonstrating practical leadership in handling internal church issues while safeguarding the apostles' core mission. This event is widely seen as the genesis of the diaconal ministry within the church, highlighting the need for specialized roles and a commitment to both spiritual depth and practical care within the Christian fellowship.

Acts 6 3 Word analysis

• Therefore (οὖν - oun): This conjunctive particle signifies a logical progression or conclusion. It directly links the proposed solution to the preceding problem of neglect and murmuring among the widows, indicating that the apostles' instruction is a direct, necessary response.
• brethren (ἀδελφοί - adelphoi): A term of address emphasizing shared faith and familial unity among believers in the early church, underscoring that this directive is given to the entire gathered community.
• seek out (ἐπισκέψασθε - episkepsasthe): A strong imperative, meaning "look for," "select," or "choose carefully." It implies active participation and discernment by the whole congregation in identifying these individuals, rather than the apostles unilaterally imposing them.
• from among you (ἐξ ὑμῶν - ex hymōn): Reinforces that the chosen men must be part of the existing community, known and trusted by those they are to serve. This local selection ensures accountability and familiarity.
• seven (ἑπτά - hepta): A specific, divinely meaningful number in Scripture often associated with completeness or spiritual perfection. It suggests a fixed and sufficient number of individuals to adequately address the task at hand.
• men (ἄνδρας - andras): Refers specifically to males, indicating the gender of the individuals to be selected for this particular office of service and leadership.
• of good reputation (μαρτυρουμένους - martyroumenous): This passive participle means "those being well-attested," "well-spoken of," or "with a good report." It denotes an external, public validation of their character and integrity within both the Christian community and society at large (1 Tim 3:7), emphasizing the importance of a credible witness.
• full of the Spirit (πλήρεις Πνεύματος - plēreis Pneumatos): This critical qualification indicates that the chosen individuals must be saturated with and consistently led by the Holy Spirit, demonstrating spiritual power, character (Gal 5:22-23), and divine guidance, essential for any form of God-ordained service. It's not just having the Spirit, but being dominated by Him.
• and wisdom (καὶ σοφίας - kai sophias): Refers to practical discernment, sound judgment, and the ability to apply spiritual principles to practical affairs (Jas 1:5; 3:17). This indicates that the task, while administrative, required more than just organizational skills; it needed spiritual insight.
• whom we may appoint (οὓς καταστήσομεν - hous katastēsomen): While the congregation chooses, the apostles retain the authority to formally commission or "set in place" these individuals. This illustrates a balance between congregational involvement and apostolic oversight in establishing church leadership and structure.
• over this business (ἐπὶ τῆς χρείας ταύτης - epi tēs chreias tautēs): The Greek term chreia (need, service, affair) specifically refers to the task of distributing aid, previously called "serving tables" (diakonia - Acts 6:2). This highlights the specific administrative responsibility they would undertake, which freed the apostles for their more foundational ministry.

Words-group analysis:

• "seek out from among you": Emphasizes congregational involvement in discerning and nominating qualified leaders from within their own ranks, fostering ownership and trust. This collective responsibility points to the communal nature of church governance.
• "seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom": This specific cluster of qualifications forms the essential criteria for servant-leadership in the early church. It sets a high standard where spiritual vitality and practical sagacity, backed by an untainted character, are paramount even for seemingly mundane administrative tasks.
• "whom we may appoint over this business": This phrase defines the distinct roles: the congregation proposes, the apostles depute. It showcases apostolic authority in formally commissioning the chosen, blessing their ministry, and giving them official recognition for their specialized role.

Acts 6 3 Bonus section

The chosen seven men all have Greek names (Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte from Antioch). This strongly suggests that they were likely Hellenistic Jews or Gentiles who understood the concerns of the neglected group, providing a culturally sensitive and reconciliation-focused solution to the initial dispute. Their selection, particularly Stephen and Philip, demonstrates that practical "table service" could seamlessly lead into powerful evangelism and spiritual leadership (Acts 7 and Acts 8). This shows that all ministry, whether practical or propositional, flows from a Spirit-filled life and is intrinsically linked to the expansion of God's kingdom.

Acts 6 3 Commentary

Acts 6:3 serves as a foundational blueprint for effective church organization and leadership. Faced with a tangible problem threatening unity, the apostles didn't just solve a symptom but established a system. Their response affirmed that practical care, even for the marginalized, is spiritual work demanding Spirit-filled, wise, and reputable individuals. This event prefigures the role of deacons, individuals tasked with the vital administrative and merciful ministries that support the proclamation of the Word and prayer. The process involves communal selection and apostolic affirmation, underscoring both congregational responsibility and hierarchical spiritual authority. This delegation allowed the apostles to preserve their calling, showing that healthy spiritual leadership often involves wisely entrusting others with specialized tasks to maximize kingdom impact. It highlights that true service, regardless of its apparent mundane nature, must be underpinned by deep spiritual character and discernment.