Catholic Commentary on Acts 6

"We will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." (Acts 6:4)

The First Deacons

As the number of disciples increases, a complaint arises among the Greek-speaking Jewish Christians that their widows are being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The Twelve gather the whole community and make a decision that reveals their clarity about priorities: it would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. They propose the appointment of seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, to be responsible for this practical ministry. We will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.

The seven are chosen by the community, presented to the apostles, who pray and lay hands on them. This is the origin of the order of deacons in the Church. The Catechism describes the diaconal ordination as a permanent configuration to Christ the Servant, ordering the deacon to the service of the liturgy, the word, and charity (CCC 1569). The division of labour is not a relegation of service to second-class status. It is a recognition that both are necessary and both must be given to people capable of fulfilling them. The word of God spread and the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly.

Stephen

Among the seven, Stephen stands out: a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, he performs great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Opposition arises from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen, who argue with Stephen but cannot stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gives him. They secretly persuade men to say that Stephen has spoken blasphemous words against Moses and against God, and stir up the people. Stephen is seized and brought before the Sanhedrin. All who were sitting in the council looked at Stephen and saw that his face was like the face of an angel. The stage is set for the longest speech in Acts and the first martyrdom of the Church.

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, the early Church solved a practical problem of distribution by creating a structure of ordained service. The lesson for every parish and community is the same: administration and service are not beneath the dignity of the ordained ministry, but when the leadership is overwhelmed by practical administration, the word and prayer suffer. Protect the time for prayer and the word. Raise up others for the rest. Both are necessary.

Prayer

Lord God, you gave your Church both servants of the word and servants of the table, and you need both. Give our communities wise and Spirit-filled people for every ministry, that no one is neglected and the word is never crowded out by administration. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

6
The Choosing of the Seven
(1 Timothy 3:8–13)
1 In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews * 6:1 Literally the Hellenists began to grumble against the Hebrews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
 
2 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. 3 Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint this responsibility to them 4 and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
 
5 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.† 6:5 Literally and Nicolas, a convert of Antioch, 6 They presented these seven to the apostles,‡ 6:6 Literally—whom they set before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
 
7 So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith.
The Arrest of Stephen
 
8 Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia.§ 6:9 Literally and those from Cilicia and Asia; the Roman Province of Asia was located in what is now western Turkey. They began to argue with Stephen, 10 but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.
 
11 Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.”
 
12 So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin,* 6:12 Or the Council; also in verse 15 13 where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”
 
15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

*6:1 6:1 Literally the Hellenists began to grumble against the Hebrews

†6:5 6:5 Literally and Nicolas, a convert of Antioch,

‡6:6 6:6 Literally—whom they set before the apostles,

§6:9 6:9 Literally and those from Cilicia and Asia; the Roman Province of Asia was located in what is now western Turkey.

*6:12 6:12 Or the Council; also in verse 15

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