Chapter at a glance
As the number of disciples increases in Jerusalem, Greek-speaking believers raise a complaint that their widows are being overlooked in the daily distribution of support. The Twelve gather the community and propose that seven reputable men, full of the Spirit and wisdom, take responsibility for this need while the apostles continue in prayer and the ministry of the Word. The community selects Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. The apostles pray and lay hands on them. The account then reports continued growth in discipleship and that many priests become obedient to the faith. Stephen, full of grace and power, performs great wonders and signs among the people. Some from the Synagogue of Freedmen, including opponents associated with Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia, dispute with him but cannot withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he speaks. Opponents instigate men to accuse Stephen of blasphemy against Moses and God. They stir up the people, elders, and scribes, seize him, and bring him before the council. False witnesses accuse him of speaking against the holy place and the law, alleging that he said Jesus of Nazareth would destroy the place and change the customs handed down by Moses. Luke identifies this testimony as false; the accusations are not established facts. As the chapter closes, those present see Stephen's face as though it were the face of an angel.
Read the chapter
Read the complete chapter in the Bible
Read all of Acts 6 in your Bible. Notice whose needs were being missed and how the community responded when the concern was brought forward. The Hellenists and Hebrews here belong to the same early Jewish community of Jesus' followers; their language and cultural differences help explain the complaint, but the chapter does not tell us that anyone deliberately neglected the widows. Observe the qualifications sought in the seven chosen men and how prayer accompanies their appointment. Compare the support of people in need with the ministry of the Word; the apostles do not dismiss either task as unimportant. Finally, notice the difference between the narrator's description of false witnesses and the witnesses' allegations against Stephen. Acts 6 leads directly into Stephen's speech in Acts 7.
Key Scripture connections
- Acts 6:1 — the complaint about widows overlooked in the daily distribution
- Acts 6:2–4 — the Twelve recognize both material needs and their responsibility for prayer and the Word
- Acts 6:3–6 — seven reputable, Spirit-filled men are chosen and commissioned through prayer and laying on of hands
- Acts 6:7 — the Word spreads and the community grows, including many priests who respond in faith
- Acts 6:8–10 — Stephen's signs and wonders, the disputants, and wisdom through the Spirit
- Acts 6:11–15 — Stephen's seizure, the false accusations concerning Moses, the holy place and the law, and his appearance before the council
- Deuteronomy 1:9–18; Exodus 18:17–23 — related earlier examples of delegated responsibility, not direct quotations in Acts 6
Respond to the Word
Do not measure a community's faithfulness only by its growth or teaching; ask whether vulnerable people are being overlooked. When a legitimate concern surfaces, listen carefully, distinguish the facts from assumed motives, and help arrange practical care. Welcome wisdom and trustworthy service from people whose language or background differs from yours. Protect time for prayer and Scripture without using spiritual activity as an excuse to neglect someone's daily needs. When disagreements become intense, resist manipulation, rumor, and false testimony. A faithful response today might be to correct an unfair process, invite someone unheard into a conversation, or help carry a specific person's burden with humility and discretion.
Prayer for this chapter
Father, teach us to notice people whose needs are easily missed. Make us quick to listen and slow to assign motives we cannot know. Give Your people wisdom, trustworthy character, and a willingness to share responsibility well. Keep our prayer and attention to Your Word joined to practical compassion. Strengthen those who care for widows and for anyone without adequate support. Guard our speech against exaggeration, rumor, and false accusation. When truth brings opposition, help us respond with courage and humility. Through Jesus, form in us the fruit of patience, integrity, mercy, and faithful service. Amen.
Continue walking
Read Acts 6:1–7 and 6:8–15 again. Identify one person or group whose needs may be overlooked. Ask one careful question before assuming why the problem exists, then take one concrete, appropriate action to help. Also refuse to repeat an unverified accusation.