Verse 1: “In those days multiplied the disciples. It came about a grumbling of the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebrews because of the neglecting of the daily ministry for their widows.”

Multiplied the disciples: More and more people were becoming believers.

The Hellenistic (Greek) Jews against the Hebrews: These were two groups of Jewish people – those (probably in exile) that had come up to live in Israel, and those who had been in Israel for quite some time.

Daily ministry: The daily rations/food. This daily ministry was not something unique to the believing community. It was part of Judaism collectively, and was something that was done in the temple area. It was the leadership of Israel, primarily the priests, who were called to take care of the widows. They were in charge of the tithes and the offerings, that the people brought, and from this money the widows were supported.

Verse 2: “The Twelve called the multitude of the disciples and they said: ‘It is not appropriate for us to leave the Word of God to minister at tables.’”

The Twelve: The twelve Apostles took leadership in this dispute in order to see it solved.

Appropriate: Pleasing or right

To leave the Word of God: The Apostles were committed ministers of the Word of God. Without the Word of God there would be no church, as the Word is foundational for the church.

They were teaching the Word to the believers, as well as committed to writing it down for us (The New Testament).

Minister: Serve

Verse 3: “Therefore, brethren, choose men from you, seven men that have a testimony that they be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, which we can appoint over this need.”

Men from you: Meaning from among the believers.

Seven: Seven has to do with purpose.

Full of the Holy Spirit: i.e. Believers. Isaiah 59v20-21 speaks of the giving of the indwelling Holy Spirit as an outcome of faith in the Redeemer Messiah, Yeshua. The Holy Spirit, in a person’s life, changes everything.

We can appoint: It was the 12 who would do the appointing.

Verse 4: “We are going to be steadfastly continuing in prayer and the ministry of the Word.”

Prayer and ministry of the Word: Those who minister the Word need to be prayerful individuals.

Prayer will bring the greatest change to both the understanding and the ability to convey this Word – in the way that God intended it to be conveyed.

Verse 5: “And the word was pleasing before all the multitude and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Also, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas – a proselyte from Antioch.”

The word was pleasing: It was received by everyone. The early believers placed high significance upon the sharing of the Word of God.

Stephen: This name, in Greek, has to do with a crown. He lived and behaved in a way that he is going to receive that crown.

Full of faith and the Holy Spirit: He believed the truth of God. There is a relationship between being full of faith and full of the Holy Spirit (The Spirit of Truth).

Proselyte: Nicolas was not born Jewish but became a believer in the God of Israel (Messiah Yeshua).

Verse 6: “Whom they stood before the Apostles, and they prayed and set their hands upon them.”

Prayed and set their hands upon them: The Apostles commissioned these 7 men to serve in accordance with the purpose that they were called for. As these men submitted to the purpose that God gave them (the responsibility of food distribution), it allowed the Apostles to pray and minister the Word.