New English Translation
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.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to 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.”
Context of Acts 6:4
2So the twelve called the whole group of the disciples together and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to wait on tables. 3But carefully select from among you, brothers, seven men who are well-attested, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this necessary task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5The proposal pleased the entire group, so they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a Gentile convert to Judaism from Antioch. 6They stood these men before the apostles, who prayed and placed 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 2:42They were devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
- Acts 20:19serving the Lord with all humility and with tears, and with the trials that happened to me because of the plots of the Jews.
- Romans 12:6And we have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must use it in proportion to his faith.
- 1 Corinthians 9:16For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason for boasting, because I am compelled to do this. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
- Colossians 4:17And tell Archippus, “See to it that you complete the ministry you received in the Lord.”
- 1 Timothy 4:13Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.
- 2 Timothy 4:2Preach the message, be ready whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction.
- Acts 1:14All these continued together in prayer with one mind, together with the women, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
- Acts 13:2While they were serving 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, whom I serve in my spirit by preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness that I continually remember you
- Ephesians 1:15For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
- Ephesians 3:14For this reason I kneel before the Father,
- Philippians 1:4I always pray with joy in my every prayer for all of you
- Colossians 1:9For this reason we also, from the day we heard about you, have not ceased praying for you and asking God to fill you 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 in Laodicea, and for those who have not met me face to face.
- Colossians 4:12Epaphras, who is one of you and a slave of Christ, greets you. He is always struggling in prayer on your behalf, so 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
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