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Acts 6
Acts 6:1
General Information:
This is the beginning of a new part of the story. Luke gives important background information to understand the story. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-background)
Now in these days
Consider how new parts of a story are introduced in your language. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-newevent)
was multiplying
"was greatly increasing"
Grecian Jews ... Hebrews
These were both groups of Jews who had become believers. The writer assumes that the reader understands that these people were all believers because at this point all believers had grown up as Jews. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Grecian Jews
These were believers who had grown up as Jews or become converts living somewhere in the Roman Empire outside of Israel and speaking Greek. Their language and culture were somewhat different from those who had grown up in Israel.
the Hebrews
These were believers who had grown up as Jews or become converts in Israel speaking Hebrew or Aramaic.
widows
A widow is a woman who has not remarried since her husband died.
their widows were being overlooked
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the Hebrew believers were overlooking the Grecian widows" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
being overlooked
"being ignored" or "being forgotten." There were so many who needed help that some were missed.
daily distribution of help
The disciples were able to help the widows because believers were giving money to the apostles Acts 4:34-35. Possible meanings are 1) the disciples used the money to buy food, which they would give to the widows, or 2) the disciples gave the money directly to the widows.
Acts 6:2
General Information:
Here the word "us" refers to the 12 apostles and not to their hearers, so it is exclusive. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive)
The twelve
This refers to the eleven apostles plus Matthias, who was selected in Acts 1:26.
the multitude of the disciples
"all of the disciples" or "all the believers"
give up the word of God
This is an exaggeration in order to emphasize the importance of their task of teaching the word of God. Alternate translation: "stop preaching and teaching the word of God" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole)
serve tables
This is a phrase meaning to serve food to the people. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Acts 6:3
General Information:
Here the word "you" refers to the believers and so is plural. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-you)
men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom
Possible meanings are 1) the men have three qualities—a good reputation, being full of the Spirit, and being full of wisdom or 2) the men have a reputation for two qualities—being full of the Spirit, and being full of wisdom .
men of good reputation
"men that people know are good" or "men whom people trust"
over this business
"to be responsible to do this task"
Acts 6:4
General Information:
Here the word "us" refers to the 12 apostles and not to their hearers, so it is exclusive. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive)
the ministry of the word
"the ministry of teaching and preaching the message"
Acts 6:5
Their speech pleased the whole multitude
"All the disciples liked their suggestion"
Stephen ... Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus
These are Greek names, so it seems that all of the men elected were from the Grecian Jewish group of believers. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
proselyte
a Gentile who converted to the Jewish religion
Acts 6:6
placed their hands upon them
This represented giving a blessing and imparting responsibility and authority for the work to the seven. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)
Acts 6:7
General Information:
This verse gives an update on the church's growth.
the word of God continued to spread
The writer speaks of the growing number of people who believed the word as if the word of God itself were covering a larger area. Alternate translation: "the number of people who believed the word of God increased" or "the number of people who believed the message from God increased" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
became obedient to the faith
"followed the teaching of the new belief"
the faith
Possible meanings are 1) the gospel message of trust in Jesus or 2) the teaching of the church or 3) the Christian teaching.
Acts 6:8
General Information:
The writer begins to give background information about Stephen and other people that is important to understanding the story. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-background)
Connecting Statement:
This is the beginning of a new part of the story.
Now Stephen
This introduces Stephen as the main character in this part of the story. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-participants)
Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing
The words "grace" and "power" here refer to power from God. This could be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: "God was giving Stephen power to do" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Acts 6:9
General Information:
The writer continues giving background information about Stephen and other people that is important to understanding the story. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-background)
there arose some people ... Asia. These people were debating with Stephen
The word "arose" is an idiom that represents beginning to act. These people did not begin to rise into the air, nor did they necessarily get up from a sitting position. Alternate translation: "some people ... Asia, began to debate against Stephen" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
the synagogue of the Freedmen, of the Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia
Possible meanings are 1) the Cyrenians, the Alexandrians and those from Cilicia and Asia were all members of the synagogue of the Freedmen; 2) the Cyrenians and the Alexandrians were members of the synagogue of the Freedmen, but those from Cilicia and Asia were not; or 3) there were three separate groups of people: those from the synagogue, those from Cyrene and Alexandria, and those from Cilicia and Asia.
synagogue of the Freedmen
"Freedmen" were probably ex-slaves from these different locations. It is unclear if the other people listed were part of the synagogue or just participated in the debate with Stephen.
the Cyrenians and Alexandrians
"people from Cyrene and Alexandria." Cyrene and Alexandria were cities in Northern Africa. They were south of the Mediterranean Sea.
some from Cilicia and Asia
Cilicia was a city and Asia was a Roman province, both north of the Mediterranean Sea.
debating with Stephen
"arguing with Stephen"
Acts 6:10
Connecting Statement:
The writer finishes giving background information about Stephen and other people that is important to understanding the story.
not able to stand against
This phrase means they could not prove false what he said. Alternate translation: "could not argue against" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Spirit
this refers to the Holy Spirit
Acts 6:11
General Information:
Here the word "We" refers only to the men they persuaded to lie. The word "they" refers back to the people from the synagogue of the freemen (Acts 6:9). (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive)
some men to say
They were given money to give false testimony. Alternate translation: "some men to lie and say" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
blasphemous words against
"bad things about"
Acts 6:12
General Information:
The word "they" most likely refers back to the people from the synagogue of the Freedmen (Acts 6:9). They were responsible for the false witnesses and for inciting the council, the elders, the scribes, and the other people.
stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes
"caused the people, the elders, and the scribes to be very angry at Stephen"
seized him
"grabbed him and held him so he could not get away"
Acts 6:13
General Information:
The word "they" most likely refers back to the people from the synagogue of the Freedmen (Acts 6:9).
does not stop speaking
"continually speaks"
Acts 6:14
General Information:
The words "we" and "us" refer only to the speakers, not to the hearers, and so is exclusive. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive)
handed down to us
The phrase "handed down" means "passed on." Alternate translation: "taught our ancestors" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Acts 6:15
fixed their eyes on him
This is an idiom that means they looked intently at him. Here "eyes" is a metonym for sight. Alternate translation: "looked intently at him" or "stared at him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
was like the face of an angel
This phrase compares his face to that of an angel but does not say specifically what they have in common. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)