Acts 6:1

Acts 6:1 in other versions

• New International Version (NIV)In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Now 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.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
• New Living Translation (NLT)But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.

Context of Acts 6:1

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2Then 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. 3Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Acts 6:1 word by word

Ἐν δὲ ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις πληθυνόντων τῶν μαθητῶν ἐγένετο γογγυσμὸς τῶν Ἑλληνιστῶν πρὸς τοὺς Ἑβραίους, ὅτι παρεθεωροῦντο ἐν τῇ διακονίᾳ τῇ καθημερινῇ αἱ χῆραι αὐτῶν.Read the interlinear

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Andδέde · thenG1161
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• thoseοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• daysἡμέραhēmera · dayG2250
• when the numberπληθύνωplēthunō · to multiplyG4129
• of the disciplesμαθητήςmathētēs · discipleG3101
• there aroseγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• a murmuringγογγυσμόςgoggusmos · murmuringG1112
• of the GreciansἙλληνιστήςHellēnistēs · HellenistG1675
• againstπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• the HebrewsἙβραῖοςHebraios · HebrewG1445
• becauseὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• theirαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• widowsχήραchēra · widowG5503
• were neglectedπαραθεωρέωparatheōreō · to neglectG3865
• the dailyκαθημερινόςkathēmerinos · dailyG2522
• ministrationδιακονίαdiakonia · serviceG1248

Cross-references for Acts 6:1

• Acts 6:7And 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.
• Acts 2:41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
• Acts 4:4Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
• Acts 5:14And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
• Psalms 72:16There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
• Psalms 110:3Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
• Isaiah 27:6He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.
• Jeremiah 30:19And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.
• 1 Corinthians 10:10Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
• Hebrews 13:1Let brotherly love continue.
• James 4:5Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
• James 5:9Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
• Acts 9:29And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
• Acts 11:20And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
• 2 Corinthians 11:22Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
• Philippians 3:5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

Commentaries on Acts 6:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1A murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews - Those who are here termed Grecians, , or Hellenists, were Jews who sojourned now at Jerusalem, but lived in countries where the Greek language was spoken, and probably in general knew no other. They are distinguished here from those called Hebrews, by which we are to understand native Jews, who spoke what was then termed the Hebrew language, a sort of Chaldaio-Syriac. It has been remarked that Greek words…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1In those days … - The first part of this chapter contains an account of the appointment of “deacons.” It may be asked, perhaps, why the apostles did not appoint these officers at the first organization of the church? To this, question we may reply, that it was better to defer the appointment until an occasion should occur when it would appear to be manifestly necessary and proper. When the church was small, its alms could be distributed by the apostles…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The appointment of deacons. (1-7) Stephen falsely accused of blasphemy. (8-15) Verses 1-7 Hitherto the disciples had been of one accord; this often had been noticed to their honour; but now they were multiplied, they began to murmur. The word of God was enough to take up all the thoughts, cares, and time of the apostles. The persons chosen to serve tables must be duly qualified. They must be filled with gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost, necessary to…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1the Grecian Jews: The Greek-speaking Christians were Jewish Christians from other parts of the Greek and Roman world. They likely followed some Greek customs. The Hebrew-speaking Christians were more traditional Jews from Palestine. They spoke Hebrew or Aramaic and avoided Greek customs. their widows were being overlooked: This injustice threatened the church's growth and development. Overlooking needs from one group caused frustration and required an…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-71. the Grecians--the Greek-speaking Jews, mostly born in the provinces. the Hebrews--those Jews born in Palestine who used their native tongue, and were wont to look down on the "Grecians" as an inferior class. were neglected--"overlooked" by those whom the apostles employed, and who were probably of the Hebrew class, as being the most numerous. The complaint was in all likelihood well founded, though we cannot suspect the distributors of intentional…Read the comment

Topics related to Acts 6:1

• Alms
• Beneficence
• Deacon
• Hebrew
• Poor

In the dictionaries

• Catch
• Deacon
• Grecians
• Hebrew
• Hebrews
• Honest
• Ministration
• Nicanor
• Poor
• 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