What does Acts 6:2 mean?

Explanation

Acts 6:2 describes an important moment in the early Christian community where the twelve apostles address a growing need within the church.

The "multitude of the disciples" likely refers to the larger group of believers who had been following the teachings of Jesus and had joined the community after Pentecost.

The problem at hand is practical: the daily distribution of food to the widows, which was an essential part of the community's life, reflecting a commitment to caring for the vulnerable.

The apostles' statement, "It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables," reflects a discernment of priorities.

They believed that their primary calling was to preach and teach the word of God, rather than managing the logistics of food distribution.

This is not to say that serving tables was any less important, but they recognized that they could not do both effectively.

Their solution was to delegate responsibilities to trustworthy men full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.

This verse speaks to the deeper meaning of service and administration within the church. It presents a principle of division of labor that allows various members of the community to contribute to its wellbeing according to their gifts and callings.

Historical Context

This verse is set in the early days of the Christian church in Jerusalem, shortly after the events of Pentecost described in Acts 2, where the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, giving them the ability to speak in various languages and leading to a significant increase in the number of believers.

Christianity at this time was largely a sect within Judaism, and the first Christians were predominantly Jewish.

The Hellenistic Jews were part of the Jewish Diaspora and spoke Greek, as opposed to the Hebraic Jews who spoke Aramaic or Hebrew.

The Hellenistic Jewish widows mentioned earlier in Acts 6:1 were believed to be neglected in the daily distribution of food, highlighting an ethnic or cultural rift that needed to be addressed within the church.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, Acts 6:2 demonstrates the early church's practical wisdom in organizational leadership by acknowledging different roles within the body of Christ.

It also supports the idea that certain tasks are better managed by appointing individuals specifically for those roles, a model that has influenced church structure throughout history.

Moreover, the decision made by the apostles is also a reflection of the principle of stewardship and the distribution of spiritual gifts as taught by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.

Each person in the body of Christ has a unique function, and together they contribute to the health and mission of the community.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse can be practically applied in a number of ways.

In church leadership, it calls for the recognition and empowerment of different gifts and ministries within the congregation.

It also promotes wise delegation, ensuring that leadership does not become overburdened with tasks that can be fulfilled by others, thus promoting efficiency and unity.

In a broader sense, this principle encourages individuals to consider their personal strengths and callings and seek ways to contribute meaningfully to their communities while allowing others to do the same.

Cross-References

• 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (KJV): "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit."
• 1 Timothy 3:1-13 (KJV): Describes the qualifications for overseers and deacons, reflecting the early church's approach to leadership and service.
• Romans 12:6-8 (KJV): "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;"

Language Study

In "serve tables" (Greek: "διακονεῖν τραπέζαις", "diakonein trapezais"), the word "diakonein" is the verb form of "διάκονος" (deacon, servant), indicating administration or service.

The word "trapezais" refers to a table or a counter, metaphorically standing for distribution of food. The usage implies that serving tables represented a significant and recognized ministry in the context of the early church.

The phrase "leave the word of God" contains the Greek word "λόγος" (logos), used frequently in the New Testament to denote the revealed word of God or God's teachings. By using this term, the apostles underscore the primacy of preaching and disseminating these teachings.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Similar to the Judeo-Christian tradition of appointing individuals to specific roles, other ancient cultures often had systems to delegate religious and community functions.

In ancient Greek city-states, for example, there were officials known as archons who managed various aspects of societal affairs. In Judaism, the role of the Levite was to assist the priests in the temple, which corresponds to the concept of designated functions within a religious context.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern organizational psychology might look at this verse as being in line with the principles of effective teamwork and leadership.

Specialization and the division of labor are concepts supported by numerous studies that show increased efficiency and satisfaction among team members when roles are clearly defined and suited to the abilities of individuals.

Commentaries

Commentators have often seen Acts 6:2 as a pivotal moment for the formation of the role of deacon within the Christian church, though the term is not explicitly used in this passage.

John Calvin commented on the apostles' keenness not to be distracted from preaching the word of God, recognizing that it was their primary task and should not be neglected.

Matthew Henry noted that the apostles considered prayer and the ministry of the word as their particular work, which they needed to be diligent in. He also stated that the apostles were careful not to give the least offense in their choice of persons whom they would employ in the care of the poor.

It is commonly remarked upon by commentators that the decision to delegate tasks was made not out of a sense of superiority but to properly steward the responsibilities entrusted to the leaders by God.