Seven Chosen to Serve
1 In those days, as the disciples g were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. h 2 The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, i full of the Spirit j and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen, k a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a convert from Antioch. l 6 They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed m and laid their hands on n them.
7 So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased o greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.
Stephen Accused of Blasphemy
8 Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from some members of the Freedmen’s Synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, and they began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking.
11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.” p 12 They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; so they came, seized him, and took him to the Sanhedrin. 13 They also presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and the law. q 14 For we heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” r 15 And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
6:1. In light of the repeated call for the care of widows in the Mosaic law (Ex 22:22–24; Dt 10:18; 14:28–29; 16:11; 24:17–21; 26:12–13), the neglect of the “widows” is a pressing problem in a community that claims to have “not a needy person among them” (4:34). The severity of the problem is highlighted by Luke’s use of the term “complaint”; the same Greek term often is used in the Septuagint in reference to the grumbling of the Israelites in the wilderness (Ex 16:7–12; Nm 17:5, 10). In this context, God’s people likewise face a crisis when the care of one group is neglected. The identity of the two parties involved has been debated. The “Hellenistic Jews” and “Hebraic Jews” are Jews who literally speak different languages (Greek and Hebrew/Aramaic, respectively) and have different cultural identities.
6:2–6. Due to the urgency of the problem, the Twelve (6:2) gather to appoint the seven and to lay their hands on them (6:6). These seven all have Greek names (6:5), and it is therefore possible that they are representing the Hellenistic Jews. They are not called deacons (Gk diakonoi) in this passage, but they are called to “wait on” (diakoneō, 6:2) tables.
6:7. This account concludes with a summary statement: “So the word of God spread [literally “grow”].” Being the first of three similar summary statements that focus on the powerful word of God (cf. 12:24; 19:20), this statement concludes the first part of Acts, as the apostles minister in and around Jerusalem. Despite the disagreement among the believers, the word of God continues to grow and become strong.
G. Stephen and the preparation for missions beyond Judea (6:8–7:60). 6:8–15. In introducing Stephen, one of the seven (6:5), Luke again points the readers back to his portrayal of Jesus. Like Jesus, Stephen is “full of grace and power” (6:8; cf. Lk 2:40; 4:22), performs “great wonders and signs” (6:8; cf. 2:22), and is full of “wisdom” and the Spirit (6:10; cf. Lk 2:40, 52; 3:22). He debates with his opponents in the synagogue (6:9; cf. Lk 4:16–27) and is seized and brought before the Sanhedrin (6:12; cf. Lk 22:66), being accused by “false witnesses” (6:13; cf. Lk 23:2). With the prospect of suffering under their hands, Stephen acquires “the face of an angel” (6:15; cf. Lk 9:29, 32). The connection between Stephen and Jesus is confirmed when, at the end of his speech, he sees “the Son of Man” (7:56), and his last prayer also resembles that of Jesus (7:59–60; cf. Lk 23:34, 46). The power of the risen Jesus is not limited to the Twelve; he is also present with Stephen and others who are to extend his work beyond Judea.