English Standard Version
Acts 6:4
4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
Acts 6:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
- New International Version (NIV)and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
- New King James Version (NKJV)but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
- New Living Translation (NLT)Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”
Context of Acts 6:4
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. 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. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 5And what they said pleased the whole gathering, 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 Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
Read all of Acts 6Acts 6:4 word by word
ἡμεῖς δὲ τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ τῇ διακονίᾳ τοῦ λόγου προσκαρτερήσομεν.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Acts 6:4
- Acts 2:42And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
- Acts 20:19serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews;
- Romans 12:6Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
- 1 Corinthians 9:16For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
- Colossians 4:17And say to Archippus, "See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord."
- 1 Timothy 4:13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.
- 2 Timothy 4:2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
- Acts 1:14All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
- Acts 13:2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
- Romans 1:9For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you
- Ephesians 1:15For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,
- Ephesians 3:14For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
- Philippians 1:4always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,
- Colossians 1:9And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
- Colossians 2:1For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face,
- Colossians 4:12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
Commentaries on Acts 6:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4We will give ourselves continually to prayer - , We will steadfastly and invariably attend, we will carefully keep our hearts to this work. The word is very emphatic. To prayer. - See this defined, Matthew 6:5; (note). Even apostles could not live without prayer; they had no independent graces; what they had could not be retained without an increase; and for this increase they must make prayer and supplication, depending continually on their God. Ministry…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4But we will give ourselves continually - The original expression used here denotes “intense and persevering” application to a thing, or unwearied effort in it. See the notes on Acts 1:14. It means that the apostles designed to make this their constant and main object, undistracted by the cares of life, and even by attention to the temporal needs of the church. To prayer - Whether this means “private” or “public” prayer cannot be certainly determined. The…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 6:4
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
Commentaries