What does Acts 6:4 mean?

Explanation

Acts 6:4 highlights a pivotal decision made by the early Christian apostles regarding the distribution of leadership responsibilities within the community.

The verse reads, "But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." This declaration underscored the apostles' determination to prioritize two essential aspects of their calling: communication with God through prayer and the proclamation and teaching of God's word.

In a literal sense, the apostles are expressing their commitment to focusing on spiritual duties rather than administrative tasks.

The deeper meaning reveals an early church model where specific roles were designated to ensure that the spiritual and practical needs of the community were met without neglecting the essential task of spreading the Gospel.

Historical Context

Acts 6:4 falls within the narrative of selecting the first deacons in the Christian church.

The early church was experiencing rapid growth, and with it came growing pains.

Specifically, there were complaints from the Hellenistic Jews that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food.

This prompted the Twelve apostles to address the issue by delegating this responsibility to seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom so that the apostles could focus on prayer and teaching.

This division of labor reflects the practical organization within the early church and the prioritization of spiritual leadership.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, Acts 6:4 illustrates the principle of vocation within the Christian community. It underlines that spiritual leaders are primarily called to nurture their relationship with God and to disseminate His teachings.

The verse serves as a source of insight into ecclesiology, the study of the church, demonstrating how the early church grappled with and resolved issues of administration versus spiritual duties.

It also emphasizes the importance of prayer as an act of dependence on God and the centrality of Scripture in the life of the church.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, Acts 6:4 can inspire believers to consider their own priorities, urging them to balance their commitments and identify what is most important in their service to God and others.

For church leaders, this verse serves as a reminder to maintain a focus on spiritual responsibilities, such as prayer and teaching, even while attending to the administrative duties of running a church community.

For laypersons, it can be a call to support church leaders in their spiritual roles and to possibly step into service roles within the community.

Cross-References

• 1 Timothy 3:1-13 – Discusses qualifications for church leaders and deacons.
• Ephesians 4:11-12 – Talks about the roles of different people in the church for building up the body of Christ.
• 2 Timothy 4:2 – Instructs to preach the word in season and out of season.
• Luke 10:38-42 – Jesus emphasizes the importance of listening to His word over getting distracted with many tasks.
• James 5:16 – Emphasizes the effectiveness of righteous prayer.

Language Study

The Greek words used in Acts 6:4 give us deeper insight into the verse:

• "give ourselves continually" (Greek: προσκαρτερήσομεν, proskarterēsomen): This word suggests a steadfast and unwavering commitment.

It implies an ongoing, persistent dedication, indicating that the apostles were committed to making prayer and ministry their primary responsibilities.

• "prayer" (Greek: προσευχῇ, proseuchē): Refers to prayers or supplications made to God, reflecting a relationship of dependence and communication with the divine.
• "ministry" (Greek: διακονία, diakonia): This term is often translated as 'service' and is the root from which we get the word 'deacon'.

It can be used in a broad sense of service or in a more specific sense of ministering the Gospel.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The emphasis on prayer and teaching within Christian tradition can be compared to the roles of religious figures in other ancient cultures and religions.

For instance, in Judaism, the Levitical priests were responsible for both the spiritual and practical aspects of religious life.

The philosopher class in ancient Greek society also had a role in interpreting the meaning of life and the cosmos, similar to the teaching role of the apostles within the early Christian context.

Scientific Perspectives

The prioritization of prayer by the apostles touches on areas of study within psychology and neuroscience.

Research on meditation and prayer has shown benefits such as reduced stress and improved wellbeing, suggesting that there may be scientific support for why dedicating time to spiritual practices can be beneficial for leaders and individuals alike.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of Acts 6:4:

• John Calvin emphasizes the importance of word and prayer as the two "arms" by which the church is governed, noting the apostles' wise decision to focus on what strengthens and expands the church.
• Matthew Henry comments on the apostles' commitment to prayer before preaching, implying that their power in preaching was born out of their dedication to prayer.
• The IVP New Testament Commentary Series highlights the importance of balance in ministry duties and the wisdom in choosing qualified individuals to handle specific tasks within the church community.