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.

Wherefore {G3767}, brethren {G80}, look ye out {G1980} among {G1537} you {G5216} seven {G2033} men {G435} of honest report {G3140}, full {G4134} of the Holy {G40} Ghost {G4151} and {G2532} wisdom {G4678}, whom {G3739} we may appoint {G2525} over {G1909} this {G5026} business {G5532}.

Brothers, choose seven men from among yourselves who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint them to be in charge of this important matter,

Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint this responsibility to them

Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Acts 6:3 is a pivotal verse in the early church's history, detailing the qualifications for the first group of men appointed to a specific service role, often seen as the precursors to the office of deacon.

Context

The early Christian community experienced rapid growth, leading to practical challenges. Acts 6:1 describes a specific issue: the Hellenistic (Greek-speaking) Jewish widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food compared to the Hebraic widows. This internal murmuring threatened the unity and focus of the burgeoning church. The apostles, recognizing the need to address this administrative burden without diverting from their primary spiritual duties, proposed a solution: delegate this "business" to others.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Strategic Delegation: The apostles understood the importance of focus. By delegating the practical matters of daily ministration, they could devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. This establishes a biblical precedent for leadership identifying and empowering others to serve in specific capacities.
  • Qualifications for Service: The verse highlights the essential qualities for those entrusted with significant responsibilities within the church. The chosen men were to be:
    • "of honest report": Possessing a good reputation, integrity, and trustworthiness within the community. Their character was publicly known and respected.
    • "full of the Holy Ghost": This is a primary spiritual qualification, indicating a life demonstrably led and empowered by God's Spirit, not just a formal profession of faith. It signifies spiritual maturity, discernment, and a reliance on divine guidance.
    • "and wisdom": Beyond spiritual fervor, practical wisdom was required to manage the daily distribution fairly and efficiently. This includes good judgment, discernment, and the ability to handle practical affairs with skill.
  • Unity and Problem Solving: This passage demonstrates how the early church addressed internal conflict and logistical challenges through wise leadership and communal participation, ensuring that the mission of the Gospel was not hindered.

Linguistic Insights

The term "business" in this verse (Greek: chreia) literally means 'need' or 'service,' emphasizing the practical, service-oriented nature of the task at hand. The phrase "full of the Holy Ghost" (Greek: plēreis Pneumatos Hagiou) signifies a deep, abiding anointing and control by the Spirit, reflecting a life where the Spirit's influence is evident in all actions and decisions, much like the qualities described for leaders elsewhere in Scripture, such as in Ephesians 5:18.

Practical Application

Acts 6:3 provides timeless principles for church leadership and service today:

  • Identifying Gifted Individuals: Churches should actively seek out and empower individuals who possess both strong character ("honest report") and spiritual depth ("full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom") for various ministries and administrative roles.
  • Importance of Character and Spirit: It underscores that competence alone is insufficient for spiritual service. Those serving in practical capacities should possess not only administrative skills but also demonstrable spiritual maturity and the fruit of the Spirit.
  • Balanced Leadership: The model of the apostles delegating administrative tasks to focus on prayer and the word is a crucial lesson for leaders to prioritize their core spiritual responsibilities while ensuring other vital needs are met through qualified individuals.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Timothy 3:7

    Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

  • 1 Timothy 3:15

    But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

  • James 3:17

    But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

  • James 3:18

    And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

  • Deuteronomy 1:13

    Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you.

  • 1 Timothy 5:10

    Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

  • Numbers 27:18

    And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom [is] the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;

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