Now
in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service. The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.
Acts 6:1-2
Acts 5 [42.] Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ.
Acts 6 [1.] Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service. The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables. Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”
Acts 6 [5.] These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch; whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Meaning:
The church in Jerusalem had grown from about one hundred twenty believers to many thousands. Luke has described a community where “All who believed were together, and had all things in common” (Acts 2:44) and where no one lacked, because “distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need” (Acts 4:35). Growth brought a new problem from inside the church. These verses describe the complaint and the first part of the apostles’ answer.
- “when the number of the disciples was multiplying”
The pressure came from success. More disciples meant more people to feed, more needs to notice and more room for mistakes. The church had already faced threats from the council (Acts 5:40) and deceit from within in the case of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1). Now it faced a quieter danger: division and neglect.
- “a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews”
Both groups were Jewish believers. The PIB footnote explains that the Hellenists “used Greek language and culture, even though they were also of Hebrew descent.” Many had been born in the Jewish communities scattered around the Mediterranean and had settled in Jerusalem; they spoke Greek and read the Scriptures in Greek. The Hebrews were local Jews who spoke Aramaic and Hebrew. Differences of language and background easily become lines of suspicion, even in a church that is “of one heart and soul” (Acts 4:32).
- “because their widows were neglected in the daily service”
Widows were among the most vulnerable people in the ancient world, with no husband to provide for them and often no income. Many devout Jews from abroad came to Jerusalem late in life to die in the holy city, so their widows may have been far from family. The law commanded care for them: God does “execute justice for the fatherless and widow” (Deuteronomy 10:18). James later wrote, “Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction” (James 1:27). Luke does not say the neglect was deliberate. It may have been an oversight caused by language and rapid growth, but it was real, and it was taken seriously.
- “The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples”
The apostles did not ignore the complaint or defend themselves. They called the whole community together and dealt with the problem openly. They also included the believers in the solution, asking them to choose men to take charge (Acts 6:3).
- “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables”
This is not a statement that serving food is beneath the apostles. Jesus himself said, “the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). The point is about calling. The twelve had been commissioned as witnesses of the risen Lord (Acts 1:8). If they spent their days organizing food distribution, the teaching of the word would suffer. Moses faced a similar problem when his father-in-law told him, “the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to perform it yourself alone” (Exodus 18:18), and the answer was to share the work with capable people (Exodus 18:21).
The Significance of Acts 6:1-2
- Problems inside the church are to be faced honestly
The early church was not perfect. Complaints arose, and some people were overlooked. What marked the apostles was their willingness to listen and act. Healthy communities do not pretend that all is well; they bring problems into the open and seek fair solutions.
- Caring for the vulnerable is part of the gospel
The daily care of widows was not a side issue. The church’s concern for the poor and forgotten showed the love of Christ in action. Every believer is called to notice those who are easily overlooked, especially those who are different from the majority.
- Different gifts, one body
Serving tables and preaching the word are both ministry. Peter writes, “As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another” (1 Peter 4:10). The apostles’ decision protected both the care of the needy and the ministry of the word.
Cross-References:
Acts 4:35: "distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need." The sharing that the daily service continued.
Deuteronomy 10:18: "He does execute justice for the fatherless and widow" God’s concern for widows.
Exodus 18:21: "Moreover you shall provide out of all the people able men" Moses shares the burden.
Acts 6:3: "Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report" The apostles’ solution.
Conclusion: As the church grew, Greek-speaking believers complained that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The apostles listened, called the community together, and explained that they must not leave the ministry of the word to serve tables. Their response shows how the church can face problems honestly, care for the vulnerable, and keep each ministry in its proper place.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible