Acts 6:7

Acts 6:7 in other versions

• King James Version (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.
• New International Version (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.
• English Standard Version (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.
• New King James Version (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.

Context of Acts 6:7

5The suggestion pleased the whole congregation; and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith [in Christ Jesus], and [filled with and led by] the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas (Nikolaos), a proselyte (Gentile convert) from Antioch. 6They brought these men before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them [to dedicate and commission them for this service]. And the message of God kept on growing and spreading, and the number of disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem; and a large number of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith [accepting Jesus as Messiah and acknowledging Him as the Source of eternal salvation]. 8Now Stephen, full of grace (divine blessing, favor) and power, was doing great wonders and signs (attesting miracles) among the people. 9However, some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (freed Jewish slaves), both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and [the province of] Asia, rose up and questioned and argued with Stephen.

Acts 6:7 word by word

Καὶ ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ ηὔξανεν, καὶ ἐπληθύνετο ὁ ἀριθμὸς τῶν μαθητῶν ἐν Ἰερουσαλὴμ σφόδρα, πολύς τε ὄχλος τῶν ἱερέων ὑπήκουον τῇ πίστει.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• the wordὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the wordλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
• of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• increasedαὐξάνωauxanō · to growG837
• the numberἀριθμόςarithmos · numberG706
• of the disciplesμαθητήςmathētēs · discipleG3101
• multipliedπληθύνωplēthunō · to multiplyG4129
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• JerusalemἹερουσαλήμHierousalēm · JerusalemG2419
• greatlyσφόδραsphodra · veryG4970
• andτεte · and/bothG5037
• aὄχλοςochlos · crowdG3793
• greatπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• of the priestsἱερεύςhiereus · priestG2409
• were obedientὑπακούωhupakouō · to obeyG5219
• to the faithπίστιςpistis · faithG4102

Cross-references for Acts 6:7

• Acts 12:24But the word of the Lord [the good news about salvation through Christ] continued to grow and spread [increasing in effectiveness].
• Acts 19:20So the word of the Lord [concerning eternal salvation through faith in Christ] was growing greatly and prevailing.
• Colossians 1:6which has come to you. Indeed, just as in the whole world the gospel is constantly bearing fruit and spreading [by God’s power], just as it has been doing among you ever since the day you first heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth [becoming thoroughly and deeply acquainted with it].
• 2 Timothy 2:9for that [gospel] I am suffering even to [the point of] wearing chains like a criminal; but the word of God is not chained or imprisoned!
• Acts 21:20And when they heard it, they began glorifying and praising God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and they are all enthusiastic supporters of the Law [of Moses].
• 2 Chronicles 29:34But there were too few priests and they were unable to skin all the burnt offerings; so until the other priests had consecrated themselves, their brothers, the Levites, helped them until the work was done. For the Levites were more upright in heart and more conscientious than the priests in consecrating themselves.
• 2 Chronicles 30:24For Hezekiah king of Judah gave to the assembly 1,000 bulls and 7,000 sheep, and the officials gave the assembly 1,000 bulls and 10,000 sheep. And a large number of priests consecrated themselves [for service].
• Psalms 132:9Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness (right living), And let Your godly ones shout for joy.
• Matthew 19:30But many who are first [in this world] will be last [in the world to come]; and the last, first.
• Luke 2:34Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Listen carefully: this Child is appointed and destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that is to be opposed—
• John 12:42Nevertheless, even many of the leading men believed in Him [as Savior and Messiah], but because of the Pharisees they would not confess it, for fear that [if they acknowledged Him openly] they would be put out of the synagogue (excommunicated);
• Romans 1:5It is through Him that we have received grace and [our] apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name’s sake among all the Gentiles,
• Romans 16:26but now has been disclosed and through the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all the nations, according to the commandment of the eternal God, leading them to obedience to the faith,
• 2 Thessalonians 1:8dealing out [full and complete] vengeance to those who do not [seek to] know God and to those who ignore and refuse to obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus [by choosing not to respond to Him].
• Hebrews 5:9And having been made perfect [uniquely equipped and prepared as Savior and retaining His integrity amid opposition], He became the source of eternal salvation [an eternal inheritance] to all those who obey Him,
• Hebrews 11:8By faith Abraham, when he was called [by God], obeyed by going to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went, not knowing where he was going.

Commentaries on Acts 6:7

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7The word of God increased - By such preachers as the apostles and these deacons, no wonder the doctrine of God increased - became widely diffused and generally known; in consequence of which, the number of the disciples must be greatly multiplied: for God will ever bless his own word, when ministered by those whom he has qualified to proclaim it. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith - This was one of the greatest miracles wrought by…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 7And the word of God increased - That is, the gospel was more and more successful, or became more mighty and extensive in its influence. An instance of this success is immediately added. And a great company of the priests - A great “multitude.” This is recorded justly as a remarkable instance of the power of the gospel. How great this company was is not mentioned, but the number of the priests in Jerusalem was very great; and their conversion was a…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7The apostles were wise in how they dealt with the issue. This led to an increase in the number of Christians, including many of the Jewish priests. his is the first of three places in Acts where Luke notes that God’s message continued to spread (see also 12:24; 19:20). When serious difficulties arose, God’s message overcame internal conflict, idolatry, and pagan practices. As a result, the community continued to grow. The book of Acts tells the story of…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 77. word of God increased ... disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly--prosperity crowning the beautiful spirit which reigned in this mother community. a great company of the priests were obedient, &c.--This was the crowning triumph of the Gospel, whose peaceful prosperity was now at its greatest height. After Stephen's teaching and trial made it clear that sacerdotal interests could not stand with the Gospel, such priestly accessions became rare indeed…Read the comment

Topics related to Acts 6:7

• Revivals

In the dictionaries

• God
• Jerusalem
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Word of God
• Catch
• Deacon
• Faith
• Honest
• Ministration
• Stephen

Commentaries on Acts 6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings