The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 6:1

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The first note of strife.

"There arose a murmuring," etc. Good and evil mingled everywhere. Multiplication of disciples means multiplication of interests and dangers. Prosperity in Churches has its attendant difficulties. Learn a lesson of wisdom and safety from the narrative. Money matters cannot be too carefully and spiritually controlled in all Churches.

I. THE NECESSARY INFIRMITIES OF CHURCH LIFE Call be made opportunities of great blessing.

1. Let nothing be neglected, either wants or murmurs, but all promptly and wisely considered and prayed over.

2. Call out the gifts of the people. No one knows what he cannot do. A Church's extremity is often God's opportunity.

3. Keep the spiritual and the secular as far as possible in their right places. Let not the business claims oppress the minds which should be free to study the Word of God. Aim at the development of the Church's knowledge and devotion as supreme.

II. GOD'S WONDERFUL CARE OF HIS PEOPLE; overruling; inspiring; by means of individual instances and comparatively trivial occasions, providing great precedents and rules and guiding facts, which extend their influence over the whole world. So in the order of his providence throughout. As humanity develops new capacity and function manifested.—R.

More for Acts 6:1

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Matthew Henry on Acts 6:1-7Acts 6:1-7 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryHitherto 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 Appointment of DeaconsActs 6:1-7 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE APPOINTMENT OF DEACONS. Having seen the church's struggles with her enemies, and triumphed with her in her victories, we now come to take a view of the administration of her affairs at home; and here we have, I. An…The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 6:1-15Acts 6:1-15 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 6:1Acts 6:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryNow in these for and in those, A.V. (it is not ἐκείναις, answering to מהֵהָ מימַיָבַּ, but ταύταις); multiplying for multiplied, A.V.; Grecian Jews for Grecians, A.V. The Grecian Jews; the Hellenists, for this is the…The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 6:1-8Acts 6:1-8 · The Pulpit CommentaryWise counsels. The prosperity of the Church was great. The first hypocrisy had been plucked up by the roots and burnt, so to speak in the presence of the whole congregation. A holy awe had mingled with faith and love to…The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 6:1-7Acts 6:1-7 · The Pulpit CommentaryProsperity and peace within the Church. These opening verses prove to us that a condition of exceptional virtue may abruptly pass into one of common infirmity. From the height of holy enthusiasm the Church falls down, b…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Acts 6:1-7Hitherto 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…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Appointment of DeaconsTHE APPOINTMENT OF DEACONS. Having seen the church's struggles with her enemies, and triumphed with her in her victories, we now come to take a view of the administration of her affairs at home; and here we have, I. An…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 6:1-15EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 6:1-7The appointment of deacons. I. THE SPIRIT OF STRIFE. 1. It arose between the Hellenists and the Hebrews, members of the same nation, of the same blood, of the same Church, but of different places of birth, education, an…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 6:1-8Wise counsels. The prosperity of the Church was great. The first hypocrisy had been plucked up by the roots and burnt, so to speak in the presence of the whole congregation. A holy awe had mingled with faith and love to…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 6:1-6The first crystallizings of ecclesicastical institution. This short section has much to say, more to suggest, to us. The day of Pentecost had receded no distance whatever into the past; the holy enthusiasm of the days w…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 6:1Now in these for and in those, A.V. (it is not ἐκείναις, answering to מהֵהָ מימַיָבַּ, but ταύταις); multiplying for multiplied, A.V.; Grecian Jews for Grecians, A.V. The Grecian Jews; the Hellenists, for this is the…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 6:1-6Institution of deacons. Notice: 1. The increase of officers was the natural outcome of increase in number of disciples, illustrating the great principle that the life of Christianity develops the organization and not de…Joseph S. Exell and contributors