Luke tells of a second internal crisis within the fledgling church in Acts 6:1-7. The needs of certain widows were being neglected. The twelve resolved to appoint seven men to serve insuring that the needs of those women would be met. Let’s take a closer look at the passage to consider how the problem came about and the way the first Christians came to a workable solution.
Problem: We are told that the fledgling church was “increasing in number” and the Hellenist lodged a “complaint…against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution” (v. 1).[1]
Luke indicates that the number of disciples increased dramatically—from one hundred twenty (Acts 1:15), to three thousand (Acts 2:41), and then to five thousand (Acts 4:4).
“Hellenist” in Acts 6 refer to Jews who primarily spoke Greek whereas “Hebrews” to Jews who primarily soke Aramaic. The Hellenist returned from the diaspora (i.e., the Jewish settlements outside of Palestine) to live in Jerusalem and attend their own synagogues. [2] Some linguistic distinctions existed among members of the first century church in Jerusalem. On the other hand, the language barrier would not have been a problem. Many inhabitants of ancient Jerusalem were likely multilingual, particularly those engaged in commerce, pilgrimage, religious leadership, or interaction with the broader Roman world.[3]
It still would hardly be surprising to find members of the early church in Jerusalem naturally forming closer social connections with those who shared their primary language and lived experience. But there is no suggestion of social hostility between the Hebrews and Hellenists in Acts 6:1–7.
Care for those in need through the sharing of resources was a regular practice within the fledgling church (Acts 2:45; cf. 4:32, 34), and the neglect of the Hellenist widows likely resulted from an “unintentional oversight.”[4] As the church rapidly grew, mistakes and administrative challenges inevitably arose. But the Hellenists were right to make the complaint known.
Proposal: The apostles gathered the disciples together to address the problem concerning the distribution of resources to the needy widows. In doing so, they also highlighted an important consideration regarding their own ministry: “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables” (v. 2). The apostles recognized that their calling to proclaim God’s Word could not be neglected, even in the face of a pressing practical need. Therefore, the solution would require the involvement of the wider community rather than simply adding more responsibilities to the ministry of the twelve.
The apostles proposed setting up a division of labor to solve the problem. They commissioned the disciples to “pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty” (v. 3). The disciples would appoint seven from their members to oversee the distribution, allowing the twelve to continue steadfastly in prayer and the ministry of the word. By uniting to address the problem together, then delegating seven capable men to carry out the assignment of distributing to the needy, the church arrived at a strong and effective solution—for “a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Eccl. 4:12).
The number seven often represents fullness or completeness in Scripture.[5] These seven were to be entrusted with overseeing the daily distribution to ensure that all who were in need were cared for fairly.
Two qualifications were required of the seven. First, they were to have a good reputation within the community, demonstrating that they could be trusted with the distribution of resources. Second, they were to be filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom. They were to be recognized as men who ministered with spiritual power and godly insight, relying not on their own strength but on the wisdom and guidance that came from God.[6]
The appointment of the seven allowed the apostles to devote themselves more fully to “prayer and to the ministry of the word” (v. 4). The twelve regularly prayed alongside fellow believers in their gatherings, and they also prayed over individuals, particularly those who were sick. The apostles’ ministry of the word involved preserving and proclaiming the teachings they had received from Jesus, as well as studying and expounding the Old Testament Scriptures to demonstrate that He was the long-awaited Messiah foretold by the ancient prophets.
Seven Servants: Pleased with the apostles’ instruction, the crowd chose the seven men to serve: “Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch” (v. 5). All seven men bore Greek names, suggesting they were Hellenistic Jews; however, Nicolaus being a proselyte, implies he was a Gentile convert to Judaism who had apparently come to align himself with Jesus’ movement.[7] Philp also preached the gospel and came to be known as “the evangelist” (Acts 8:5; 21:8).
The seven were presented and the apostles prayed and laid their hands upon them (v. 6). Laying on of hands represented the conferred authority upon the seven, but not the conferral of the Spirit, since the men already possessed the Spirt. [8]
Appointing the seven servants had three positive effects. First, the word of God continued to increase (v. 7a). God’s word is like a mustard seed that a man sows which eventually sprouts into a tree large enough for birds to perch (Lk. 13:19).
Second, the numbers of new disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem” (v. 7b). Increased efforts in sharing the word of God resulted in many more people in Jerusalem becoming disciples of Jesus Christ.
Lastly, a great many priests became obedient to the faith (v. 7c). This conversion of priest is significant. Consider the observation of John Chrysostom: “Notice, if you please, under what circumstances the number increased. It was after the trials—not before—that the number increased. And see how great is the mercy of God. The chief priests who were shouting such things, who were indignant, highly vexed, who said, ‘he saved others. He cannot save himself.’ It was from the ranks of these that many [priests], it says, ‘were obedient to the faith.’”[9]
Acts 6:1–7 reminds us that every member of the church matters. When one of us suffers, we all suffer, and when one of us is honored, we all rejoice together (1 Cor. 12:26). The neglect of the Hellenistic widows teaches us that we cannot ignore the needs within our own community of faith. Instead, we are called to work together in addressing problems with wisdom, compassion, and humility. The apostles themselves could not meet every need alone, but the church, united in purpose, was able to appoint seven qualified men to serve those who had been overlooked. In the same way, we each have a role to play in strengthening and caring for the body of Christ. By sharing responsibilities wisely, the apostles remained devoted to prayer and the ministry of the Word while ensuring that the vulnerable were cared for with integrity. A united church is a strengthened church, for “a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Finally, the seven remind us that faithful service cannot ultimately rest upon our own abilities or strength. We are called to serve as people filled with the Holy Spirit, relying on God’s wisdom, grace, and power to carry out the work He has entrusted to us.
— WGN
NOTES:
[1] All Scripture cited from The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), unless noted.
[2] Eckhard J. Schnabel, Acts: Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012), 329.
[3] There is substantial evidence that even Jesus spoke Aramaic, Hebrew, and likely some Greek (M. O. Wise, Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, eds. Joel B. Green, Scot McKnight, and I. Howard Marshall [Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 1992], 441-442). It is possible that some Diaspora Jews already spoke Aramaic before relocating to Jerusalem (Schnabel, Acts, 329).
[4] Schnabel, Acts, 330.
[5] Simon J. Kistemaker and William Hendriksen, New Testament Commentary: Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles, vol. 17 (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 222.
[6] In Acts 6, the seven are not explicitly titled deacons. These seven servants anticipate the appointment of deacons with the body of Christ to carry on certain ministerial assignments. The apostle Paul would eventually teach his protégé Timothy on the qualifications of deacons (1 Tim. 3:8-13).
[7] Richard N. Longenecker, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: John and Acts, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 9 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981), 331.
[8] I. Howard Marshall, “Acts,” in Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic; Apollos, 2007), 555.
[9] Cited from Francis Martin and Evan Smith, eds., Acts, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2006), 71.
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