Acts 6:1-7
Widows at the Table
1In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
2So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables.
3Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them
4and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
6They presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
7So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Berean Standard Bible
As the disciples multiply, the Hellenistic Jews complain that their widows are being overlooked in the daily distribution. The apostles do not dismiss the complaint as inconvenient. They gather the disciples and propose a solution.
It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables.
The apostles remain devoted to prayer and the ministry of the word, while the church chooses seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, to handle the distribution. The word of God continues to spread, and many priests become obedient to the faith.
The church protects both teaching and practical care by assigning responsibility instead of pretending one group can do everything.
The complaint is not dismissed as a distraction from spiritual work. The church listens when Greek-speaking widows are being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The apostles also recognize that solving the problem requires more than an apology; the community needs trusted people to carry the responsibility fairly.
The seven are chosen from among the believers and are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. Their names are Greek, which fits the community whose concern has been raised, though Luke's emphasis is on character rather than ethnicity. The apostles remain devoted to prayer and the ministry of the word while the whole church participates in a practical solution. As the need is addressed, the word of God continues to spread. Service at tables is not second-rate ministry; it protects the unity that makes the church's witness credible.
Questions
1 What complaint arose?
AnswerThe Hellenistic widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.
2 What did the apostles want to continue doing?
AnswerThey wanted to devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.
3 What qualities were required of the seven?
AnswerThey were to be men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom.
4 What happened after the solution?
AnswerThe word of God spread and the number of disciples increased greatly.
What This Means for Us
Listen when people say they are being overlooked. Good structures do not make care less spiritual; they protect care from being forgotten.
Prayer
God, make us attentive to unfairness and wise in assigning responsibility. Keep our households devoted to both truth and practical care. Amen.