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Acts 6:5

in Acts 6

This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaüs a proselyte of Antioch;

KJV

And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

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This verse in Acts 6

Commentary

11 notes on this verse

A commentator

Irenaeus

Against Heresies Book 4.15.1 · Written before 202.

Luke also has recorded that Stephen, who was the first elected into the diaconate by the apostles, and who was the first slain for the testimony of Christ, spoke regarding Moses as follows: "This man did indeed receive the commandments of the living God to give to us, whom your fathers would not obey, but thrust [Him from them], and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us; for we do not know what has happened to [this] Moses, who led us from the land of Egypt.

This site's exposition

the saying pleased the whole multitude

on Acts 6:5-6

The saying pleased the whole multitude, and the seven men chosen, Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch, all carry Greek names, which the bench reads as the church honoring the very group whose widows had been overlooked by placing men from among them in trust. The apostles pray and lay their hands on them, the first ordination scene in Acts, setting apart by prayer and touch what the congregation had already chosen. Nicolas is further named a proselyte, a Gentile convert to Judaism before his faith in Christ, the narrowest widening of the circle before Cornelius.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers4 voices

A commentator

Clement of Alexandria

The Stromata Book 2 · Written before 215.

Such also are those who say that they follow Nicolaus, quoting an adage of the man, which they pervert, "that the flesh must be abused." But the worthy man showed that it was necessary to check pleasures and lusts, and by such training to waste away the impulses and propensities of the flesh.

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on Acts 14 · Written in the 5th century.

proposed

"And the saying," we are told, "pleased the whole multitude." This too was worthy of their wisdom. All approved of what was said so sensible was it. "And they chose," it says (again it is the people that choose,) "Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch." And in this regard Philip also was admirable: for it is of him that the writer says: "And we entered into the house of Philip the Evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him." Dost thou mark how matters are ordered quite otherwise than after the matter of men?

A commentator

Hippolytus of Rome

The Refutation of All Heresies - Book 7 · Written before 235.

proposed

There are, however, among the Gnostics diversities of opinion; but we have decided that it would not be worth while to enumerate the silly doctrines of these (heretics), inasmuch as they are (too) numerous and devoid of reason, and full of blasphemy. Now, even those (of the heretics) who are of a more serious turn in regard of the Divinity, and have derived their systems of speculation from the Greeks, must stand convicted (of these charges). But Nicolaus has been a cause of the wide-spread combination of these wicked men. He, as one of the seven (that were chosen) for the diaconate, was appointed by the Apostles. (But Nicolaus) departed from correct doctrine, and was in the habit of inculcating indifferency of both life and food. And when the disciples (of Nicolaus) continued to offer insult to the Holy Spirit, John reproved them in the Apocalypse as fornicators and eaters of things offered unto idols.

A commentator

Didymus the Blind

CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES · Written before 398.

proposed

Of those who have a share in virtue, some possess it perfectly and others imperfectly. Hence it is said of Stephen that he was selected because he was full of faith and the Spirit, as every believer is not full of faith. Someone upon whom …

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

The first named is Stephen, the glory of these septemviri, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost; he had a strong faith in the doctrine of Christ, and was full of it above most; full of fidelity, full of courage (so some), for he was full of the Holy Ghost, of his gifts and graces.
4 more voices on this verse

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

And the saying pleased the whole multitude,....

The Nineteenth Century3 voices

And the saying - “The word” - the counsel, or command, And they chose Stephen ... - A man who soon showed Acts 7 that he was in every way qualified for his office, and also suited to defend the cause of the Lord Jesus. This man had the distinguished honor of being the first Christian martyr. And Nicolas - From this man some of the fathers (Iren., lib. 1:27; Epiphanius, 1; Haeres., 5) says that the sect of the “Nicolaitanes,” mentioned with so much disapprobation Rev 2:6, Rev 2:15, took their rise.

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

Stephen, &c.--As this and the following names are all Greek, it is likely they were all of the "Grecian" class, which would effectually restore mutual confidence.

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

proposed

Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost - A person every way properly fitted for his work; and thus qualified to be the first martyr of the Christian Church. Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch - A heathen Greek, who had not only believed in the God of Israel, but had also received circumcision, and consequently was a proselyte of the covenant; for, had he been only a proselyte of the gate, the Jews could not have associated with him. On the word proselyte, see the note on Exo 12:43. As this is the only proselyte mentioned here, we may presume that all the rest were native Jews. From this Nicolas, it is supposed that the sect called Nicolaitans, mentioned Rev 2:6, Rev 2:15, derived their origin. Dr. Lightfoot doubts this, and rather inclines to derive the name “from ניכולא nicola, let us eat together; those brutes encouraging each other to eat meats offered to idols, like those in Isa 22:13, who said, Let us eat flesh and drink wine, etc.” Both Irenaeus and Epiphanius derive this sect from Nicolas the deacon. Clemens Alexandrinus gives this Nicolas a good character, even while he allows that the sect who taught the community of wives pretended to derive their origin from him. See on Rev 2:6 (note).

The words behind it

31 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

18 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Acts 21:8Leaving the next day, we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven.13 worksActs 6:8Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.8 worksActs 11:24Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.7 worksActs 8:5Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them.6 worksActs 7:1Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?”4 worksActs 6:3Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint this responsibility to them4 works
The other 12 cross-references, with their words ▾
Acts 7:55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.4 worksActs 2:4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.4 worksActs 11:19Meanwhile those scattered by the persecution that began with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message only to Jews.3 worksProverbs 15:23A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!3 worksActs 13:1Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul.3 worksActs 6:10but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.3 worksActs 13:43After the synagogue was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.3 worksProverbs 25:11–12A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.2 worksRevelation 2:6But you have this to your credit: You hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.2 worksMatthew 23:15Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You traverse land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.2 worksMicah 3:8As for me, however, I am filled with power by the Spirit of the LORD, with justice and courage, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.2 worksRevelation 2:15In the same way, some of you also hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.2 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    Acts 6:8

    Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

    it leads to

    • Acts 4:29–30

      And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness,

    • Acts 7:55

      But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

    • Acts 6:10

      but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.

    • 1 Timothy 3:13

      For those who have served well as deacons acquire for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

    • Acts 2:17–18

      ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

  • Through

    Acts 21:8

    Leaving the next day, we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven.

    it leads to

    • Acts 8:26–40

      Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go south to the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”

  • Through

    Acts 11:24

    Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

    it leads to

    • Acts 5:14

      Yet more and more believers were brought to the Lord—large numbers of both men and women.

    • Acts 11:21

      The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

Where this verse is studied

On this page

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On this verse

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About Acts

The Ascension, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
The Ascension, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
Acts: the study guide →Read Acts 6 →
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata Book 2; Didymus the Blind, CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES; Hippolytus of Rome, The Refutation of All Heresies - Book 7; Irenaeus, Against Heresies Book 4.15.1; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on Acts 14; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748) and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.

Read on in Acts 6 →