Acts 6

1 In those days [when the church was growing rapidly] when the disciples [followers of Jesus] were increasing [multiplying, growing in number] in number, the Grecian Jews [Hellenists, Greek-speaking Jews] among them began to grumble [murmur, complain] against the Hebraic Jews [Hebrews, Jewish Christians] because their widows [women who had lost their husbands] were being overlooked [neglected, disregarded] in the daily [each day, every day] distribution of food [ministration, care]. word study 2 So the Twelve [twelve apostles, the inner circle of Jesus’ followers] summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable [not pleasing, not fitting] for us to neglect [leave behind, abandon] the word of God [the divine message, Logos] in order to wait on tables [serve at tables, attend to physical needs]. word study 3 Therefore [then, as a consequence], brothers [fellow believers], select from among you [out from your midst] seven men [adult males, husbands] confirmed to be full [complete, filled up] of the Spirit [the Holy Spirit] and [also] wisdom [higher understanding]. We will appoint [set in order, conduct] this responsibility [need, business] to them [as overseers, to care for the task] word study 4 and will devote [give ourselves continually, steadfastly] ourselves to prayer [conversation with God, worship] and to the ministry [service, helping others] of the word [message, divine expression].” word study 5 This proposal [pleasing idea, acceptable plan] pleased the whole group [multitude, entire assembly]. They chose Stephen, a man [full of faith and integrity] full of faith [trust, confidence] and of the Holy Spirit [the divine Presence, God’s power], as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas [a proselyte, a convert to Judaism] from Antioch, a convert [one who has turned to Judaism, a proselyte] to Judaism. word study 6 They presented [set before, brought to] these seven [men, individuals] to the apostles [messengers, delegates of Jesus Christ], who [after prayer, having prayed] prayed [to God, worshiped] and laid [placed, imposed] their hands [as a symbol of authority, in blessing] on them [upon each one, to appoint them]. word study 7 So the word [Logos, divine message] of God [the one true deity] continued to spread [increase, multiply]. The number [quantity, amount] of disciples [learners, followers] in Jerusalem [the holy city] grew rapidly [exceedingly, very much], and a great [large, multitude] number of priests [spiritual leaders, ministers] became obedient [submissive, trusting] to the faith [trust, confidence in God]. word study 8 Now Stephen [full of faith], who was full [complete, filled up] of grace [unmerited favor] and power [divine ability, strength], was performing [doing, working] great [large, intense] wonders [miracles, supernatural events] and signs [tokens, indications] among [in the midst of, surrounded by] the people [a group, a nation]. word study 9 But resistance [opposition, disagreement] arose from what was called the Synagogue [gathering place, assembly] of the Freedmen [liberated slaves, former captives], including Cyrenians [people from Cyrene, a region in Africa], Alexandrians [inhabitants of Alexandria], and men from the provinces [regions, areas] of Cilicia [a region in Asia Minor] and Asia [the Roman province, a geographic area]. They began to argue [debate, discuss, reason] with Stephen [a faithful Christian, full of the Holy Spirit], word study 10 but they could not [be strong enough to] stand up to his [spiritual understanding, wisdom] wisdom or the Spirit [the vital principle, breath of God] by whom he spoke [spoke with authority, uttered words]. word study 11 Then [at that specific point in time] they prompted [suborned, secretly induced] some men to say, “We heard [listened to and understood] Stephen speak [utter, declare] words [declarations, utterances] of blasphemy [evil, slanderous speech] against Moses [the Hebrew lawgiver] and against God [the one true deity].” word study 12 So they stirred up [to arouse, provoke] the people [a group of individuals, a nation], elders [respected leaders, older men], and scribes [scholars, teachers of the law] and confronted [came upon, approached] Stephen. They seized [caught, took control of] him and brought [led, took] him before the Sanhedrin [the Jewish council, a group of leaders], word study 13 where they presented false [deceitful] witnesses who said, “This man [continually, never stops] never stops speaking against this holy [set apart] place [the Temple, a sacred location] and against the [Mosaic, divine] law [God’s instructions, regulations]. word study 14 For we have heard him say [clearly and openly] that Jesus [the Messiah, God’s salvation] of Nazareth [a city in Galilee] will destroy [tear down, demolish] this place [the Temple, a sacred location] and change [alter, transform] the customs [traditional practices, habits] that Moses [the lawgiver, a leader] handed down [delivered, passed on] to us [to his people, as a heritage].” word study 15 All [every single one] who were sitting [seated, in a position of authority] in the Sanhedrin [council, a group of leaders] looked intently [gazing steadfastly, with focused attention] at Stephen, and they saw [perceived, beheld] that his face [countenance, outward appearance] was like [similar to, resembling] the face [countenance, appearance] of an angel [messenger, heavenly being]. word study