Acts 6 6

Acts 6:6 kjv

Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

Acts 6:6 nkjv

whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

Acts 6:6 niv

They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

Acts 6:6 esv

These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

Acts 6:6 nlt

These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.

Acts 6 verses

Acts 6 6 Meaning

Acts 6:6 describes the formal commissioning of the seven men chosen to serve the early Christian community, particularly concerning the daily distribution of food to widows. This verse highlights the solemnity of their appointment by the apostles through prayer and the significant ritual of laying on of hands, signifying divine approval, the imparting of spiritual authority and enablement, and official endorsement for ministry.

Acts 6 6 Context

Acts chapter 6 opens with a critical internal challenge facing the rapidly expanding early Christian church: a complaint by Hellenistic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily food distribution compared to the Hebraic Jewish widows. To address this social and logistical problem, and to allow the apostles to focus on prayer and the ministry of the Word, the apostles instructed the community to choose seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom, for this specific service. Verse 6 immediately follows this selection, detailing the crucial act of their formal appointment by the apostles. Historically, the act of laying on of hands carried significant meaning in both Jewish and early Christian contexts, denoting identification, blessing, transfer of authority, or commissioning for specific roles. This event is foundational, laying groundwork for future church leadership structures beyond the initial apostles.

Acts 6 6 Word analysis

• These (Οὓς - Hois): Refers specifically to the "seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom" chosen by the community, as described in Acts 6:5. This demonstrates that the apostles were formalizing a selection made by the congregation, not unilaterally appointing.
• they set before (ἔστησαν - estēsan): This Greek verb means "they stood," "they presented," or "they appointed." It signifies a formal act of presenting these chosen individuals publicly to the apostles. It underscores the transparency and communal endorsement of the process.
• the apostles (τοὺς ἀποστόλους - tous apostolous): Refers to the initial twelve disciples commissioned by Jesus Christ (excluding Judas, and including Matthias from Acts 1). Their role here is one of recognition, validation, and imparting of spiritual authority for service within the nascent church.
• and they prayed (προσευξάμενοι - proseuxamenoi): This is an aorist participle, indicating an action preceding or accompanying the laying on of hands. Prayer underscores that this commissioning was not a mere human organizational act, but one performed in dependence on God, seeking His blessing and enablement for the newly designated servants. It aligns with seeking God's will and power in all significant church actions.
• and laid their hands on them (ἐπέθηκαν τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῖς - epethēkan tas cheiras autois): This is a deeply significant ritual act with diverse biblical precedents.
  • Biblical precedent: In the Old Testament, it symbolized blessing (Gen 48:14), consecration for sacrifice (Leviticus 8), and most notably, the transfer of authority and spiritual endowment (Num 27:18-23, Deut 34:9 for Joshua).
  • New Testament use: Continues to signify healing (Mark 6:5), reception of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17), and crucially, commissioning for ministry or ordination (Acts 13:3; 1 Tim 4:14; 2 Tim 1:6).
  • Significance in Acts 6:6: It validated their selection by the community, publicly designated them for specific service, and conferred apostolic authorization and spiritual enablement for their ministry, ensuring they would minister "full of the Spirit and wisdom" (Acts 6:3).

Words-group analysis

• "These they set before the apostles": This phrase highlights the collective responsibility in the selection process. The congregation identified the Spirit-filled men, and the apostles formally recognized and appointed them, demonstrating cooperation between congregational choice and apostolic oversight. It reflects an early model of shared leadership responsibility in the church.
• "and they prayed and laid their hands on them": This specific combination of actions—prayer followed by the laying on of hands—is critical. It elevates the act beyond a simple administrative delegation. Prayer ensures divine involvement and empowerment, acknowledging that all spiritual authority flows from God. The laying on of hands formalizes the transfer of authority and blessing in a visible, tangible manner, signaling the apostles' spiritual endorsement and, often, the impartation of spiritual gifts necessary for the service (as seen with Timothy). This pattern becomes a precedent for future church ordination.

Acts 6 6 Bonus section

The commissioning of the seven in Acts 6 is often seen as the prototype for the diaconate, the office of deacons in the church, whose role is primarily one of service (from the Greek diakonos, meaning "servant"). While the text doesn't explicitly name them "deacons," their function closely aligns with the later qualifications and responsibilities of deacons as described in 1 Tim 3:8-13. This event demonstrates the early church's capacity to adapt its organizational structure to meet growing needs while maintaining fidelity to spiritual principles. It emphasizes that service, particularly practical and often overlooked tasks, is vital and spiritually significant, requiring men full of faith and the Holy Spirit just as much as those dedicated to teaching and prayer.

Acts 6 6 Commentary

Acts 6:6 serves as a pivotal moment in the early church's development, illustrating the dynamic intersection of divine guidance, communal participation, and apostolic authority in the appointment of leaders for specific ministry. This verse shows that those chosen for service are not merely selected for their administrative competence but for their spiritual qualifications ("full of the Spirit and wisdom"). The public commissioning by the apostles, marked by prayer and the laying on of hands, underscores the sacred nature of ministry, recognizing it as a divine calling requiring spiritual enablement and validation. This foundational act addresses a practical need while establishing a clear model for leadership structure, delegation of responsibility, and the formal sending out of ministers within the early Christian community, setting a pattern for the church throughout history.