Keraia
Acts 6

Acts 6:5

The Choosing of the Seven · Acts 6:1–7
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Translations

Modern
This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
Traditional
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
Literal
And the statement was pleasing before all the multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a convert of Antioch,
Latin
Et placuit sermo coram omni multitudine. Et elegerunt Stephanum, virum plenum fide et Spiritu Sancto, et Philippum, et Prochorum, et Nicanorem, et Timonem, et Parmenam, et Nicolaum advenam Antiochenum.

Original

Greek
English
This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.

Notes

Acts 6:2–6

  • The apostles showed wisdom by calling a meeting of all the Christians to resolve the dispute. They understood that the problem was very serious. They also knew their priority was teaching God's word. They decided to choose men who were wise and filled with the Holy Spirit to manage the food distribution.

    The community agreed with the plan the apostles proposed. They selected capable leaders from the Christians who spoke Greek (all of their names are Greek). These seven men focused on this special task, allowing the apostles to pray and teach.

  • These seven men are sometimes called the first deacons because their role is similar to that of the office of deacon (see 1 Timothy 3:8–13). Although the Greek term translated “deacon” (Greek diakonos, “servant”) is not used here, a related Greek word is translated "to wait on tables" (6:2; Greek diakonein, “to serve”).

Events

Parallels

1 Timothy 3:8–13

People

Nicanor: One of seven deacons Nicolaus: Proselyte chosen as deacon Parmenas: One of the seven deacons Philip: One of the seven deacons, evangelized in Samaria Prochorus: One of the seven deacons in Jerusalem Stephen: One of seven deacons, full of faith, performed miracles, martyred Timon: One of the seven chosen to serve the church

Places

Antioch: A major city where the gospel spread to Gentiles

Glossary

Antioch of Syria Beggar Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of the Acts of the Apostles Deacon, Deaconess Disciple Elder Hand Hellenism Hellenists Judaizers Libertines Nicanor Nicolaitans Nicolas, Nicolaus Ordain, Ordination Parmenas Paul the Apostle Persecution Peter, the Apostle Philip Prochorus, Procorus Spirit of God Stephen Timon

Topics

Christian Minister: Ordination of of the Seven Servants (Or, Deacons; Greek: Diakonoi) Church: Government of, Mosaic and Christian Deacon: Selected by the People Faith: Stephen Holy Spirit: General Scriptures Concerning Nicanor: A Servant (Greek: Diakonos) of the Congregation at Jerusalem Nicolas: A Proselyte of Antioch, and Servant (Greek: Diakonos) of the Congregation at Jerusalem Parmenas: One of the Disciples Philip: One of the Seven Servants (Greek: Diakonos) Power of the Holy Spirit: Enabled to Speak the Truth Boldly by Prochorus: An Early Christian Servant (Greek: Diakonos) Proselytes: Many, Embraced the Gospel Stephen: Appointed One of the Committee of Seven to Oversee the Daily Ministration Stephen: Faith and Power of The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit: Saints Full of The Power of the Holy Spirit: Saints: Enable to Speak the Truth Boldly By Timon: A Member of the Committee of Seven Men Who Were Appointed to Supervise the Daily Ministration