Acts 6:3

Acts 6:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Wherefore, 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.
• New International Version (NIV)Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them
• English Standard Version (ESV)Therefore, 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.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

Context of Acts 6:3

1Now at this time, as the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint developed on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Instead, brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5The announcement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.

Acts 6:3 word by word

ἐπισκέψασθε δέ, ἀδελφοί, ἄνδρας ἐξ ὑμῶν μαρτυρουμένους ἑπτὰ πλήρεις πνεύματος καὶ σοφίας οὓς καταστήσομεν ἐπὶ τῆς χρείας ταύτης·Read the interlinear

• Insteadδέde · thenG1161
• brothersἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
• from amongἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• you sevenἑπτάhepta · sevenG2033
• menἀνήρanēr · manG435
• of goodμαρτυρέωmartureō · to testifyG3140
• fullπλήρηςplērēs · fullG4134
• of the Spiritπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
• and of wisdomσοφίαsophia · wisdomG4678
• whomὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• we may putκαθίστημιkathistēmi · to appoint/conductG2525
• of thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• taskχρείαchreia · needG5532

Cross-references for Acts 6:3

• Acts 9:30Now when the brothers learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.
• Acts 15:23and they sent this letter with them: “The apostles and the brothers who are elders, to the brothers and sisters in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles: Greetings.
• Matthew 23:8But as for you, do not be called Rabbi; for only One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters.
• 1 John 3:14We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death.
• Acts 1:21Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us--
• Numbers 11:16The Lord therefore said to Moses, “Gather for Me seventy men from the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and have them take their stand there with you.
• Deuteronomy 1:13Obtain for yourselves men who are wise, discerning, and informed from your tribes, and I will appoint them as your heads.’
• 1 Corinthians 16:3When I arrive, whomever you approve, I will send them with letters to take your gift to Jerusalem;
• 2 Corinthians 8:19and not only that, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work, which is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our readiness,
• Acts 10:22They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from you.”
• Acts 16:2and he was well spoken of by the brothers and sisters who were in Lystra and Iconium.
• Acts 22:12“Now a certain Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there,
• 1 Timothy 3:7And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.
• 1 Timothy 5:10having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.
• 3 John 1:12Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we testify too, and you know that our testimony is true.
• Acts 2:4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out.

Commentaries on Acts 6:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3Wherefore - look ye out among you seven men - Choose persons in whom ye can all confide, who will distribute the provisions impartially, and in due time; and let these persons be the objects of the choice both of the Hebrews and Hellenists, that all cause of murmuring and discontent may be done away. Though seven was a sacred number among the Jews, yet there does not appear to be any mystery intended here. Probably the seven men were to take each his day…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3Look ye out - Select, or choose. As this was a matter pertaining to their own pecuniary affairs, it was proper that “they” should be permitted to choose such men as they could confide in. By this means the apostles would be free from all suspicions. It could not be pretended that “they” were partial, nor could it ever be charged on them that they wished to embezzle the funds by managing them themselves, or by entrusting them to men of their own selection…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 6:3

• Alms
• Beneficence
• Church
• Deacon
• Holy Spirit
• Minister, Christian
• Seven
• Stephen

In the dictionaries

• Holy Ghost
• Brother
• Catch
• Deacon
• Honest
• Ministration
• Nicanor
• Stephen
• Widows
• Acts of the Apostles

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