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 Living Translation (NLT)And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.

Context of Acts 6:3

1Now 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. 2Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 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; 4but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and 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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Whereforeοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
• brethrenἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
• look ye outἐπισκέπτομαιepiskeptomai · to visit/care forG1980
• among youσύsu · youG4771
• sevenἑπτάhepta · sevenG2033
• menἀνήρanēr · manG435
• ofἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• honest reportμαρτυρέωmartureō · to testifyG3140
• fullπλήρηςplērēs · fullG4134
• of theπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
• Holyἅγιοςhagios · holyG40
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• wisdomσοφίαsophia · wisdomG4678
• whomὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• we may appointκαθίστημιkathistēmi · to appoint/conductG2525
• overἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• businessὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• businessχρείαchreia · needG5532

Cross-references for Acts 6:3

• Acts 9:30When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.
• Acts 15:23They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
• Matthew 23:8But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.
• 1 John 3:14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.
• Acts 1:21“Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
• Numbers 11:16So the Lord said to Moses: “Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you.
• Deuteronomy 1:13Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men from among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.’
• 1 Corinthians 16:3And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.
• 2 Corinthians 8:19and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind,
• Acts 10:22And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.”
• Acts 16:2He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.
• Acts 22:12“Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there,
• 1 Timothy 3:7Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
• 1 Timothy 5:10well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.
• 3 John 1:12Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.
• Acts 2:4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

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