Acts 6:2-4
And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The apostles explain it's not "pleasing" or "proper" for them to abandon their primary calling – the Word of God – for daily administrative tasks. This highlights that "serving tables" wasn't just about physical distribution, but a significant enough time commitment to potentially sideline their most crucial ministry.
A complaint arose among the Hellenistic Jewish believers that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. In response, the apostles gathered all the disciples together to address this growing need, proposing to appoint capable men to oversee this practical care so the apostles could focus on prayer and teaching.
The early church faced a real crisis: hungry widows were being overlooked. How did the apostles respond to this pressing need without abandoning their core mission?
The Apostles' Dilemma
The apostles, the very foundation stones of the church, were facing a logistical nightmare. A complaint had arisen among the Hellenistic (Greek-speaking) Jewish believers that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food and resources compared to the Hebraic (Aramaic-speaking) Jewish believers. This was a serious issue of fairness and care within the community.
A Higher Calling
When the apostles heard this, they didn't dismiss the complaint. Instead, they called a large gathering of all the believers to address it. Their response, however, was to delegate this specific task. They stated, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables." This wasn't a statement of superiority, but a clear articulation of their God-given priority: the ministry of the Word. Their primary calling was to teach, pray, and spread the gospel. While caring for the poor was vital, it was a task that could and should be shared, freeing them to focus on their unique, Spirit-empowered commission.
The apostles didn't just identify a problem; they crafted a solution that empowered others and strengthened the church. What can we learn from their leadership strategy?
A Strategic Solution
The apostles' response wasn't to hoard their authority or dismiss the complaint. Instead, they recognized the need for a specific ministry to handle the practical needs of the community. They proposed that the congregation select "seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom," to whom they would entrust this daily service.
Empowering the Community
This was a brilliant move. Firstly, it addressed the legitimate grievance of the Hellenistic widows, ensuring fairness and care. Secondly, it freed up the apostles to concentrate on prayer and the ministry of the word, which was essential for the church's spiritual growth. Thirdly, it created a new role within the church – the diaconate (from the Greek word for 'service') – which allowed more members to use their gifts in serving the body. This established a pattern for the church: identify needs, appoint capable and Spirit-filled people to meet them, and maintain focus on the primary mission.
Understand the original words
logos · Greek Noun
The message revealed by God, encompassing His character, promises, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is authoritative, living, and powerful for salvation and transformation.
pneuma · Greek Noun
The third person of the Trinity, who indwells believers to empower, guide, sanctify, and distribute spiritual gifts for the building up of the church.
sophia · Greek Noun
In Scripture, this is the practical application of divine truth; the God-given ability to perceive reality from His perspective and to act accordingly in life's situations.
proseuchē · Greek Noun
A focused, persistent, and reverent communion with God; it is the vital breath of the Christian life, expressing reliance upon God and participation in His kingdom work.
This verse highlights the practical challenges of early church growth and demonstrates the apostles' wisdom in adapting their ministry to ensure the Word is preached effectively while the community's needs are met.
c. 30 AD
Pentecost and Formation of the Jerusalem Church
The Holy Spirit empowers the apostles, leading to the conversion of thousands. The early believers share possessions and gather for prayer and teaching, forming a vibrant, communal church in Jerusalem.
c. 30-34 AD
Early Church Growth and Shared Resources
As the church grows rapidly, the apostles manage the distribution of resources to all believers, including widows. The community's sharing of goods is a hallmark of their unity and devotion.
c. 34 AD— this verse
Grecian Jewish Widows Not Served
A complaint arises within the growing church: Grecian (Hellenistic) Jewish widows are being overlooked in the daily distribution of food and aid compared to the Hebraic Jewish widows.
c. 34 AD
Apostles Delegate Ministry of Tables
The twelve apostles, facing a logistical crisis that distracts them from preaching, propose appointing seven men to oversee the distribution of aid, freeing the apostles for prayer and the ministry of the Word.
This passage shows Moses delegating judicial responsibilities to others when he was overwhelmed, mirroring the apostles' decision to appoint deacons to free themselves up for prayer and ministry of the Word.
1 Timothy 3:8-13This passage outlines the qualifications for deacons, the very office created in Acts 6 to 'serve tables,' highlighting the importance and spiritual nature of this seemingly practical task.
John 6:26-27Jesus tells the crowd they are seeking Him because they ate their fill of loaves, not because they understood the spiritual significance, which connects to the apostles' concern about prioritizing the 'word of God' over physical sustenance.
Matthew 4:4Jesus quotes Deuteronomy, stating that 'man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God,' underscoring the divine priority of spiritual nourishment over physical needs that the apostles were upholding.
ellicottActs 6:2: "Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables."
(2) Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples. —The Apostles meet the crisis with singular tact and moderation. They do not resent the suspicion; they are not careful to vindicate themselves against it. They remembered, it may be, the precedent presented by the life of Moses ( Exodus 18:25 ), and they act, as he had acted, by…
vincentActs 6:2: "Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables."
Reason (ἀπεστόν)Lit., pleasing or agreeable.Leave (καταλείψαντας)Rather forsake or abandon: leave in the lurch.Serve tablesSuperintend the distribution of food.
The apostles explain it's not "pleasing" or "proper" for them to abandon their primary calling – the Word of God – for daily administrative tasks. This highlights that "serving tables" wasn't just about physical distribution, but a significant enough time commitment to potentially sideline their most crucial ministry.
A complaint arose among the Hellenistic Jewish believers that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. In response, the apostles gathered all the disciples together to address this growing need, proposing to appoint capable men to oversee this practical care so the apostles could focus on prayer and teaching.
A complaint arose among the Hellenistic Jewish believers that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. In response, the apostles gathered all the disciples together to address this growing need, proposing to appoint capable men to oversee this practical care so the apostles could focus on prayer and teaching.
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c. 34 AD
Appointment of Seven Deacons
The disciples agree to the apostles' proposal, and seven men, full of the Spirit and wisdom, are chosen and ordained by the apostles to serve the needs of the community, particularly the widows.
"And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit…" — The apostles explain it's not "pleasing" or "proper" for them to abandon their primary calling – the Word of God – for daily administrative tasks. This highlights that "serving tables" wasn't just ab…
