But
we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”
Acts 6:4
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 apostles had asked the believers to choose seven trustworthy men to oversee the daily care of the widows (Acts 6:3). This verse completes their proposal by stating what they themselves would do. They would not abandon the needy, but they would give their own time to the two tasks Jesus had entrusted to them.
- “But we will continue steadfastly”
The phrase describes steady, persistent devotion. Luke uses the same language of the first believers: “All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication” (Acts 1:14), and after Pentecost “They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer” (Acts 2:42). The apostles were not choosing an easier task. They were committing themselves to faithful, daily work that would not be crowded out by other pressures.
- “in prayer”
Prayer is placed first. The apostles knew that the growth of the church was God’s work, not theirs. Jesus had modelled this: early in the morning he “departed into a deserted place, and prayed there” (Mark 1:35). The church in Acts prays before choosing leaders, in times of threat, and when sending out missionaries (Acts 4:24). Paul later urged believers, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2).
- “and in the ministry of the word”
The word translated “ministry” is the same word used for the “daily service” of food in Acts 6:1. The apostles were not ranking spiritual work above practical work; both were forms of service. Their particular service was to teach and proclaim the message of Jesus. Paul gave Timothy the same charge: “preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2).
The Significance of Acts 6:4
- Priorities protect what matters most
Every leader faces more needs than can be met. The apostles did not try to do everything. They made sure the needs were met by others and kept their own focus on what only they had been called to do. Saying yes to the most important things sometimes means handing other good work to others.
- Prayer and Scripture belong together
Prayer without the word can drift into our own wishes; the word without prayer can become mere information. Together they keep a church dependent on God and shaped by his truth.
- A pattern for every believer
Not every Christian is called to preach, but every Christian is called to pray and to let the word of Christ shape life. The apostles’ commitment invites all believers to make room for these two things in a busy life.
Cross-References:
Acts 2:42: "They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer." The first church’s devotion.
Colossians 4:2: "Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving" Paul’s call to persistent prayer.
Ephesians 4:12: "for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ" Teachers equip the church to serve.
Conclusion: The apostles handed the daily distribution to capable men so that they could continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word. Their decision was not a rejection of practical service but a faithful use of their own calling. The verse calls churches and believers to guard prayer and the word as their first priorities.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible