Acts 6:2
Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
Acts 6:2 in other translations
| BSB | So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. |
|---|---|
| WEB | The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables. |
| ASV | And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the word of God, and serve tables. |
| YLT | and the twelve, having called near the multitude of the disciples, said, ‘It is not pleasing that we, having left the word of God, do minister at tables; |
| DARBY | And the twelve, having called the multitude of the disciples to them, said, It is not right that we, leaving the word of God, should serve tables. |
| BBE | And the Apostles sent for all the disciples and said, It is not right for us to give up preaching the word of God in order to make distribution of food. |
| Webster | Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. |
What does Acts 6:2 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 6:2-4
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
The multitude of the disciples. It is not necessary to suppose that all the disciples were convened, which amounted to many thousands, but that the business was laid before a large number; or perhaps the multitude here means those merely who were more particularly interested in the matter, and who had been engaged in the complaint.
It is not reason. The original words used here properly denote, it is not pleasing, or agreeable; but the meaning evidently is, it is not fit, or proper. It would be a departure from the design of their appointment, which was to preach the gospel, and not to attend to the pecuniary affairs of the church.
Leave the word of God. That we should neglect, or abandon the preaching of the gospel so much as would be necessary, if we attended personally to the distribution of the alms of the church. The gospel is here called the word of God, because it is his message; it is that which he has spoken; or which he has commanded to be proclaimed to men.
Serve tables. This expression properly denotes to take care of, or to provide for the table, or for the daily wants of the family. It is an expression that properly applies to a steward, or a servant. The word tables is, however, sometimes used with reference to money, as being the place where money was kept for the purpose of exchange, etc., Mt 21:12, 25:27. Here the expression means, therefore, to attend to the pecuniary transactions of the church, and to make the proper distribution for the wants of the poor.
(b) "It is not reason" Ex 18:17-26
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 6:1-7
Hitherto the disciples had been of one accord; this often had been noticed to their honour; but now they were multiplied, they began to murmur. The word of God was enough to take up all the thoughts, cares, and time of the apostles. The persons chosen to serve tables must be duly qualified. They must be filled with gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost, necessary to rightly managing this trust; men of truth, and hating…
Acts 6:2 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Acts 6:2
- Deuteronomy 1:9-14
And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone: The Lord your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude. (The Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you!) How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife? …
- Exodus 18:17-26
And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. …
- 2 Timothy 2:4
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
- Nehemiah 6:3
And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
- Numbers 11:11-13
And Moses said unto the Lord, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers? Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.
- Acts 25:27
For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.
- Acts 21:22
What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
21:22
It.
4:19; 25:27
we should.
Ex 18:17-26; Nu 11:11-13; De 1:9-14; Ne 6:3; 2Ti 2:4
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- 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.
- Acts 6:2
Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
- 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.
Acts 6:2 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Así que, los doce convocaron la multitud de los discípulos, y dijeron: No es justo que nosotros dejemos la palabra de Dios, y sirvamos á las mesas. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Et les douze, ayant appelé la multitude des disciples, dirent: Il ne convient pas que, laissant la parole de Dieu, nous servions aux tables. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Die Zwölfe aber beriefen die Menge der Jünger und sprachen: Es ist nicht gut, daß wir das Wort Gottes verlassen und die Tische bedienen. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Convocantes autem duodecim multitudinem discipulorum, dixerunt: Non est æquum nos derelinquere verbum Dei, et ministrare mensis. |