The apostles appointed seven men because the non-Palestinian Jewish widows were being neglected in the daily distribution, and the twelve needed to devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.
In Acts 6, a murmuring arose from the Grecians against the Hebrews because the Grecian widows were overlooked in the daily ministration. The twelve told the disciples to choose seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, and appointed them over the practical task. Les Feldick shows that Stephen, one of the seven, was chosen to handle these 'mundane things' while Peter and the eleven continued preaching to Israel.
Acts 6:1 — Records the murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration—the problem that led to the appointment.
Acts 6:3 — Gives the apostles' instruction to select seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, to be appointed over the daily business.
In Acts 6, as the number of disciples in Jerusalem multiplied, a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews arose because the Grecian widows were being neglected in the daily ministration (Acts 6:1). The twelve called the multitude of disciples and said, 'It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables' (Acts 6:2). They instructed the disciples to 'look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business' (Acts 6:3). The twelve, meanwhile, would give themselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4). The saying pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, along with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas (Acts 6:5).
Les Feldick stresses that the word 'Grecians' does not refer to Gentile Greeks. A Grecian was simply a non-Palestinian Jew. Since 606 B.C., when Nebuchadnezzar took Israel captive to Babylon, only a few thousand Jews returned to Jerusalem. The rest assimilated throughout the Roman Empire, taking on the language and customs of the nations where they lived while retaining their Jewish practices. When these non-Palestinian Jews came into the early Jerusalem church, their widows were not getting their fair share in the daily distribution, which led to the murmuring against the Hebrews. Les identifies Stephen as one of the seven deacons appointed by the twelve to take care of the 'mundane things'—the widows' daily needs—so that Peter and the eleven could continue preaching their hearts out to the nation of Israel. He also notes the repeated emphasis on the Holy Spirit in this passage: the seven were to be full of the Holy Spirit, and Stephen was specifically described as full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.
According to Les Feldick, a Grecian in Acts 6 was not a Gentile Greek. A Grecian was a Jew who did not live in Palestine. Since Nebuchadnezzar's captivity in 606 B.C., only a few thousand Jews returned to Jerusalem; the majority of the Jewish people assimilated throughout the Roman Empire, adopting the language and customs of the nations where they lived while still retaining their Jewish practices. These non-Palestinian Jews were the Grecians whose widows were being neglected, prompting the murmuring against the Hebrews.
The twelve instructed the disciples to choose seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, to be appointed over the daily business. Les points out that the Holy Spirit is emphasized repeatedly in these verses—both in the requirement for the seven and in the description of Stephen, who was chosen as a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.
The twelve apostles had a consuming mission: they were preaching to the nation of Israel, hoping that Israel would repent of crucifying their Messiah and that Christ could set up His Kingdom. Les explains that they knew they could not go beyond the borders of Israel until Israel had her King. Therefore, appointing seven men to take care of the widows' daily provisions allowed the twelve to remain focused on the ministry of the Word rather than being pulled away by practical needs.
Defining the Grecians
Les explains that the Grecians were non-Palestinian Jews who had assimilated into the nations of the Roman Empire after the Babylonian captivity. Their widows were the ones involved in the murmuring against the Hebrews.
Choosing Seven Men
Les reads the instruction to choose seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, and notes the repeated mention of the Holy Spirit in the selection of Stephen.
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Apostles Bound to Israel
Les explains that the twelve stayed in Jerusalem because they could not go to the Gentiles until Israel had her King; they were hoping for Israel's repentance. This background shows why delegating the daily serving was necessary.
The Seven Appointed Over Daily Needs
Les identifies Stephen as one of the seven deacons appointed by the twelve to take care of the mundane things, specifically the widows who were not getting their fair share, while Peter and the eleven preached to Israel.
Acts 6:1: And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
This verse identifies the immediate problem that led to the appointment of the seven.
Acts 6:3: Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
This is the apostles' instruction to the disciples for selecting the seven.
Acts 6:4: But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
This verse explains why the twelve delegated the daily serving; they prioritized prayer and the Word.
Acts 6:5: And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
This verse records the choice of Stephen and the others, with Stephen singled out as full of faith and the Holy Spirit.
They appointed seven men to take care of the daily distribution to the widows, especially the Grecian widows who were being neglected. This allowed the twelve to continue in prayer and the ministry of the Word.
According to Les Feldick, the Grecians were non-Palestinian Jews who had assimilated into the nations of the Roman Empire after the Babylonian captivity. They were not Gentile Greeks.
The seven were appointed to handle the practical, mundane matters—specifically, ensuring that widows received their fair share in the daily distribution. Stephen, one of the seven, is described as full of faith and the Holy Spirit.
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