Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 6:3

"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 (ASV)

The apostles’ response in this matter was to call the Christians together and suggest a solution. It is significant that the apostles were not prepared simply to ignore the problem; they seem to have realized that spiritual and material concerns are so intimately related in Christian experience that one always affects the other for better or worse. Similarly, there was no attempt to assign blame or to act in any paternalistic fashion. Rather, they suggested that seven men “full of the Spirit and wisdom” be chosen from among the congregation (perhaps only from among the Hellenists) who could take responsibility in the affair. The apostles would give their attention exclusively “to prayer and the ministry of the word.” The reference to the apostles as “the Twelve” occurs only here in Acts (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:5), though earlier Luke has spoken of “the Eleven” in such an absolute and corporate manner (cf. Lk 24:9, 33; Acts 2:14). Likewise, the references to Christians as “the disciples” here and in v.1 are the first instances of this usage in Acts, though in the remainder of the book it occurs fairly often. In using both these terms, Luke has gone back to the language of the earliest Christians and tried to make idiomatic use of it. The words “full of the Spirit and wisdom” evidently refer to guidance by the Holy Spirit and skill in administration and business, which, singly and together, are so necessary in Christian service. While Christian ministers wish such qualities were more characteristic of their own boards and councils, it is only fair to say that boards and councils often wish their ministers were given more “to prayer and the ministry of the word”! A pattern is set here for both lay leaders and clergy, and God’s work will move ahead more efficiently if it is followed carefully.