Acts 6:2

Acts 6:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Then 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.
• New International Version (NIV)So 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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then 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.

Context of Acts 6:2

1But 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. So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. 3And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. 4Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”

Acts 6:2 word by word

προσκαλεσάμενοι δὲ οἱ δώδεκα τὸ πλῆθος τῶν μαθητῶν εἶπαν· οὐκ ἀρεστόν ἐστιν ἡμᾶς καταλείψαντας τὸν λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ διακονεῖν τραπέζαις.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Thenδέde · thenG1161
• the twelveδώδεκαdōdeka · twelveG1427
• calledπροσκαλέωproskaleomai · to call to/summonG4341
• the multitudeπλῆθοςplēthos · multitudeG4128
• of the disciplesμαθητήςmathētēs · discipleG3101
• saidλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• It isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• notοὐou · noG3756
• reasonἀρεστόςarestos · pleasingG701
• thatκαταλείπωkataleipō · to leave behindG2641
• weἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• the wordλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
• of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• serveδιακονέωdiakoneō · to serveG1247
• tablesτράπεζαtrapeza · tableG5132

Cross-references for Acts 6:2

• Acts 21:22What should we do? They will certainly hear that you have come.
• Acts 4:19But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him?
• Acts 25:27For it makes no sense to send a prisoner to the emperor without specifying the charges against him!”
• Exodus 18:17“This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed.
• Numbers 11:11And Moses said to the Lord, “Why are you treating me, your servant, so harshly? Have mercy on me! What did I do to deserve the burden of all these people?
• Deuteronomy 1:9Moses continued, “At that time I told you, ‘You are too great a burden for me to carry all by myself.
• Nehemiah 6:3so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?”
• 2 Timothy 2:4Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.

Commentaries on Acts 6:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2It is not reason - , it is not pleasing, proper, or fitting, that we should leave the word of God, that we should give up ourselves, or confide to others, the doctrine of salvation which God has commanded us to preach unto the people. And serve tables - Become providers of daily bread for your widows and poor: others can do this, to whom our important office is not intrusted.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2Then the twelve - That is, the apostles. Matthias had been added to them after the apostasy of Judas, which had completed the original number. The multitude of the disciples - It is not necessary to suppose that all the disciples were convened, which amounted to many thousands, but that the business was laid before a large number; or perhaps “the multitude” here means those merely who were more particularly interested in the matter, and who had been…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 6:2

• Alms
• Beneficence
• Church
• Deacon
• Minister, Christian
• Table

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Word of God
• Catch
• Deacon
• Honest
• Ministration
• Nicanor
• Stephen
• Widows

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