New International Version
Acts 6:4
4and will give our attention to prayer and 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.
- 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.”
- New Living Translation (NLT)Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”
Context of Acts 6:4
2So 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. 3Brothers 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 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6They presented these men to the apostles, who 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 2:42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
- Acts 20:19I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.
- Romans 12:6We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
- 1 Corinthians 9:16For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
- Colossians 4:17Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
- 1 Timothy 4:13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
- 2 Timothy 4:2Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
- Acts 1:14They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with 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 1:9God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you
- Ephesians 1:15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people,
- Ephesians 3:14For this reason I kneel before the Father,
- Philippians 1:4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
- Colossians 1:9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,
- Colossians 2:1I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.
- Colossians 4:12Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
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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