1  But in those days, the disciples multiplying in number, there arose a murmuring of the Hellenists[1] against the Hebrews because their widows were overlooked in the daily ministration.

2  And the twelve, having called the multitude of the disciples to them , said, It is not right that we, leaving the word of God, should serve tables.

3  Look out therefore, brethren, from among yourselves seven men, well reported of[2], full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we will establish over this business:

4  but *we* will give ourselves up to prayer and the ministry of the word.

5  And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose[3] Stephen[4], a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip[5], and Prochorus[6], and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch[7],

6  whom they set before the apostles; and, having prayed, they laid their hands on them.[8]

7  And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was very greatly multiplied, and a great crowd of the priests obeyed the faith.

8  And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought wonders and great signs among the people.

9  And there arose up certain of those of the synagogue called of freedmen[9], and of Cyrenians, and of Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.

10  And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.

11  Then they suborned men, saying, We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.

12  And they roused the people, and the elders, and the scribes. And coming upon him they seized him and brought him to the council.[10]

13  And they set false witnesses, saying, This man does not cease speaking words against the holy place and the law;

14  for we have heard him saying, This Jesus the Nazaraean shall destroy this place, and change the customs which Moses taught us.

15  And all who sat in the council, looking fixedly on him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

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[1] (6:1). Grecian Jews are also called Hellenists. They were Greek speaking Jewish Christians outside of Israel.

[2] (6:3). men, well reported of. The qualifications of deacons were that they had to be believing men of wellreport, spiritual men and wise.

[3] (6:5). All seven men had Greek names.

[4] (6:5). Stephen. He was one of seven men set apart for the service of the Gospel. He was a Greek-speaking Hellenistic Jew. He was the first Christian martyr in A.D. 33 when he was stoned for his faith. He was a faithful follower of Christ whose only crime was obedience to the Lord. The name Stephen means, “wreath, crown or honour.”

[5] (6:5). Philip. He was one of seven men set apart for the service of Gospel. He was an evangelist from Caesarea. He was the father of four virgin daughters who prophesied in the early church (Acts 21:9). He had a conversation with an Ethiopian eunuch which led to the eunuch’s conversion and later his baptism (Acts 8:38).

[6] (6:5). Prochorus. According to tradition he became the Bishop of Nicomedia.

[7] (6:5). Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch. A Jewish convert from Antioch. Name meaning, “conqueror of the people.”

[8] (6:6). laid their hands on them. This is a formal sign of appointment and approval for service. Sometimes accompanied with prayer (Matt. 19:13-15) and was also a sign of healing (Mark 5:23). Ordination for particular service (1 Tim. 4:14).

[9] (6:9). freedmen also called libertines. These were descendants of freed slaves. They had their own synagogue in Jerusalem.

[10] (6:12). the council. The Sanhedrin.