Acts 6 7

Acts 6:7 kjv

And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Acts 6:7 nkjv

Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Acts 6:7 niv

So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Acts 6:7 esv

And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Acts 6:7 nlt

So God's message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.

Acts 6 verses

Acts 6 7 Meaning

Acts 6:7 describes a remarkable season of growth for the early Church in Jerusalem. The "word of God" not only expanded in its reach and acceptance, but also manifested in a significant increase in the number of disciples. Notably, this growth included "a great many of the priests" who converted, signifying a profound breakthrough for the Gospel within the religious establishment of Judaism, affirming God's power and blessing on the community's renewed focus.

Acts 6 7 Context

Acts 6:7 serves as a powerful summary of the successful outcome of the church's internal conflict resolution. Immediately preceding this verse (Acts 6:1-6), the Hellenist Jews' complaint about their widows being overlooked in daily distribution led to the apostles’ wise decision. They appointed seven Spirit-filled, wise men to oversee the practical needs, thus freeing themselves to devote entirely to "prayer and the ministry of the word." This strategic division of labor addressed the burgeoning logistical challenges and cultural tensions within the rapidly expanding Jerusalem church. The verse thus demonstrates that faithful adherence to apostolic priorities (prayer and the word) and proper church organization can lead directly to significant spiritual and numerical blessing, even converting unlikely groups like the Temple priesthood. Historically, the Jerusalem temple priests were central to Jewish religious life, holding significant authority and deep devotion to the Mosaic Law and the temple system. Their conversion was highly significant, signaling that the Christian message was penetrating the very core of Judaism.

Acts 6 7 Word analysis

• And (Kai): A simple conjunction, yet here it connects the preceding narrative (appointment of the Seven) with its positive outcome, indicating causality and consequence.
• the word (ho logos): Not merely human speech, but the divine, authoritative message from God. In a New Testament context, it often refers to the Gospel itself, Christ's teachings, or even Christ as the living Word (Jn 1:1). Its expansion means its influence and acceptance increased.
• of God (tou Theou): Emphasizes the divine origin and power of the message, distinguishing it from human philosophies.
• increased (ēuxanen): Greek, auxanō. To grow, multiply, become larger, to cause to grow. It implies organic, living growth, like a plant. This growth is both quantitative (more people hearing) and qualitative (deeper understanding and acceptance). It's a divine action; God makes it grow (1 Cor 3:7).
• and (kai): Links two aspects of the outcome: the growth of the word and the multiplication of disciples.
• the number (ho arithmos): Focuses on the quantitative aspect, literal headcount. The early church saw numerical growth as a sign of God's favor and the gospel's power.
• of the disciples (tōn mathētōn): From mathētēs, meaning 'learner,' 'follower,' or 'pupil.' It signifies not just casual adherents but those committed to learning and following Jesus's teachings.
• multiplied (epiplēthynetai): Greek, epiplēthunō. To increase or multiply, often used for numerical increase. It intensifies plēthunō ('to multiply'), suggesting a strong or superabundant increase.
• greatly (sphodra): Greek, sphodra. An adverb meaning exceedingly, greatly, intensely, very much. It emphasizes the extraordinary nature of the growth, indicating exponential or overwhelming increase beyond normal expectations.
• in Jerusalem (en Hierousalem): Specifies the location, emphasizing that this growth occurred at the very heart of Judaism, where opposition was strongest. This makes the conversion of priests even more remarkable.
• and (te): A particle often used to add something important, here adding a significant detail about the group affected.
• a great many (plēthos poly): Greek, plēthos meaning multitude or great number, and poly meaning much, many, or great. It reiterates and stresses the large quantity of people.
• of the priests (tōn hiereōn): Refers specifically to the Levitical priests who served in the Jerusalem Temple. This is profoundly significant because these were the officials deeply invested in the Old Covenant system and tradition, often hostile to the nascent Christian movement (e.g., Acts 4:1). Their conversion represents a monumental breakthrough for the Gospel, demonstrating its power to penetrate entrenched religious strongholds and the universality of its appeal. It directly challenged the prevailing religious authority of the time.
• became obedient (hypēkouon): Greek, hypakouō. Imperfect tense, implying a continuing or repeated act of obedience. It literally means 'to listen under,' suggesting heeding, submitting, or complying. It's an act of willing submission to truth rather than passive acceptance.
• to the faith (tē pistei): "The faith" refers to the system of Christian truth and belief, the core tenets of the Gospel. It means they committed themselves to belief in Jesus as Messiah and Lord and adopted the new way of life that Christianity prescribed. Their obedience was not just to an idea, but to the living reality of the Christian faith.

• "the word of God increased and the number...multiplied greatly": This phrase highlights a direct correlation between the propagation of the divine message and the expansion of the believing community. Spiritual nourishment (the Word) leads to numerical growth (disciples). This isn't just organic church growth but a divine affirmation of the apostles' renewed focus.
• "in Jerusalem and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith": This composite phrase emphasizes the Gospel's success in conquering barriers. Growth within Jerusalem (center of Judaism) and specifically among the priesthood, showcases the radical, transformative power of the Christian message to reach and convert those previously aligned with or even opposing the movement.

Acts 6 7 Bonus section

The conversion of "a great many of the priests" is often understated in its significance. This group represented the conservative core of Judaism, deeply entrenched in Temple rituals and Mosaic Law. Their embrace of Christianity was a theological seismic shift. It implied a radical re-evaluation of the necessity of the Temple and its sacrifices in light of Christ's singular sacrifice. Their conversion also provided intellectual and social legitimacy to the early Christian movement in the eyes of many Jews, making it less of an obscure sect and more of a theological continuation, though a revolutionary one. This event may have also contributed to the eventual emergence of "Judeo-Christians," who continued some Jewish practices while embracing Jesus as Messiah. It suggests a strong apologetic impact the apostles' message had, even on those with deep theological training within Judaism. This detail reinforces the point that God’s saving grace knows no social or professional bounds, reaching those thought least likely to convert.

Acts 6 7 Commentary

Acts 6:7 stands as a powerful testimony to God's blessing on a well-ordered church focused on its primary mission. The decision to appoint deacons (Acts 6:1-6) allowed the apostles to rededicate themselves to "prayer and the ministry of the word." The outcome was not just a resolution of internal strife but an explosion of growth: the "word of God" flourishing and the "number of disciples" multiplying immensely. The most astounding detail is the conversion of "a great many of the priests." These individuals, pillars of the very system being transformed by the Gospel, surrendering to "the faith" powerfully validates the truth and divine origin of Christianity. This signifies that no group or social stratum is beyond the transformative power of God's Word, demonstrating its ability to dismantle even the most ingrained traditions and beliefs. It underscores that when the Church prioritizes its spiritual duties, God blesses with extraordinary growth.