English Standard Version
Acts 6:2
2And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.
Acts 6:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
- New International Version (NIV)So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.
- New Living Translation (NLT)So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program.
Context of Acts 6:2
1Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
Read all of Acts 6Acts 6:2 word by word
προσκαλεσάμενοι δὲ οἱ δώδεκα τὸ πλῆθος τῶν μαθητῶν εἶπαν· οὐκ ἀρεστόν ἐστιν ἡμᾶς καταλείψαντας τὸν λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ διακονεῖν τραπέζαις.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Thenδέde · thenG1161
- the twelveδώδεκαdōdeka · twelveG1427
- calledπροσκαλέωproskaleomai · to call to/summonG4341
- the multitudeπλῆθοςplēthos · multitudeG4128
- of the disciplesμαθητήςmathētēs · discipleG3101
- saidλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
- It isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- notοὐou · noG3756
- reasonἀρεστόςarestos · pleasingG701
- thatκαταλείπωkataleipō · to leave behindG2641
- weἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- the wordλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
- of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- serveδιακονέωdiakoneō · to serveG1247
- tablesτράπεζαtrapeza · tableG5132
Cross-references for Acts 6:2
- Acts 21:22What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.
- Acts 4:19But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,
- Acts 25:27For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him."
- Exodus 18:17Moses' father-in-law said to him, "What you are doing is not good.
- Numbers 11:11Moses said to the Lord, "Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me?
- Deuteronomy 1:9"At that time I said to you, 'I am not able to bear you by myself.
- Nehemiah 6:3And I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?"
- 2 Timothy 2:4No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.
Commentaries on Acts 6:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2It is not reason - , it is not pleasing, proper, or fitting, that we should leave the word of God, that we should give up ourselves, or confide to others, the doctrine of salvation which God has commanded us to preach unto the people. And serve tables - Become providers of daily bread for your widows and poor: others can do this, to whom our important office is not intrusted.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2Then the twelve - That is, the apostles. Matthias had been added to them after the apostasy of Judas, which had completed the original number. The multitude of the disciples - It is not necessary to suppose that all the disciples were convened, which amounted to many thousands, but that the business was laid before a large number; or perhaps “the multitude” here means those merely who were more particularly interested in the matter, and who had been…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2-6The 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…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2-42-4. the multitude--the general body of the disciples. It is not reason--The word expresses dislike; that is "We cannot submit." to leave the word of God--to have our time and attention withdrawn from preaching; which, it thus appears, they regarded as their primary duty. to serve tables--oversee the distribution of provisions.Read the comment
Topics related to Acts 6:2
In the dictionaries
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
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