FIRST ELECTION OF DEACONS. (Act 6:1-7) the Grecians--the Greek-speaking Jews, mostly born in the provinces. the Hebrews--those Jews born in Palestine who used their native tongue, and were wont to look down on the "Gr…
1En aquellos días, como creciera el número de los discípulos, hubo murmuración de los griegos contra los hebreos, de que las viudas de aquellos eran desatendidas en la distribución diaria.
2Entonces los doce convocaron a la multitud de los discípulos, y dijeron: No es justo que nosotros dejemos la palabra de Dios, para servir a las mesas.
3Buscad, pues, hermanos, de entre vosotros a siete varones de buen testimonio, llenos del Espíritu Santo y de sabiduría, a quienes encarguemos de este trabajo.
4Y nosotros persistiremos en la oración y en el ministerio de la palabra.
5Agradó la propuesta a toda la multitud; y eligieron a Esteban, varón lleno de fe y del Espíritu Santo, a Felipe, a Prócoro, a Nicanor, a Timón, a Parmenas, y a Nicolás prosélito de Antioquía;
6a los cuales presentaron ante los apóstoles, quienes, orando, les impusieron las manos.
7Y crecía la palabra del Señor, y el número de los discípulos se multiplicaba grandemente en Jerusalén; también muchos de los sacerdotes obedecían a la fe.
8Y Esteban, lleno de gracia y de poder, hacía grandes prodigios y señales entre el pueblo.
9Entonces se levantaron unos de la sinagoga llamada de los libertos, y de los de Cirene, de Alejandría, de Cilicia y de Asia, disputando con Esteban.
10Pero no podían resistir a la sabiduría y al Espíritu con que hablaba.
11Entonces sobornaron a unos para que dijesen que le habían oído hablar palabras blasfemas contra Moisés y contra Dios.
12Y soliviantaron al pueblo, a los ancianos y a los escribas; y arremetiendo, le arrebataron, y le trajeron al concilio.
13Y pusieron testigos falsos que decían: Este hombre no cesa de hablar palabras blasfemas contra este lugar santo y contra la ley;
14pues le hemos oído decir que ese Jesús de Nazaret destruirá este lugar, y cambiará las costumbres que nos dio Moisés.
15Entonces todos los que estaban sentados en el concilio, al fijar los ojos en él, vieron su rostro como el rostro de un ángel.
JAMIESON-FAUSSET-BROWN BIBLE COMMENTARY
I
Versículo 2
I. the multitude--the general body of the disciples.
the multitude--the general body of the disciples.
It is not reason--The word expresses dislike; that is "We cannot submit."
to leave the word of God--to have our time and attention withdrawn from preaching; which, it thus appears, they regarded as their primary duty.
to serve tables--oversee the distribution of provisions.
II
Versículo 3
II. look ye out among you--that is, ye, "the multitude," from among yourselves.
look ye out among you--that is, ye, "the multitude," from among yourselves.
seven men of honest report--good reputation (Act 10:22; Ti1 3:7).
full of the Holy Ghost--not full of miraculous gifts, which would have been no qualification for the duties required, but spiritually gifted (although on two of them miraculous power did rest).
and wisdom--discretion, aptitude for practical business.
whom we may appoint--for while the election was vested in the Christian people, the appointment lay with the apostles, as spiritual rulers.
III
Versículo 4
III. we will give ourselves to prayer--public prayer, as along with preaching their great work.
we will give ourselves to prayer--public prayer, as along with preaching their great work.
IV
Versículo 5
IV. Stephen, &c.--As this and the following names are all Greek, it is likely they were all of the "G…
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.
V
Versículo 6
V. when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them--the one proclaiming that all official gifts …
when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them--the one proclaiming that all official gifts flowed from the Church's glorified Head, the other symbolizing the communication of these to the chosen office-bearers through the recognized channels.
VI
Versículo 7
VI. word of God increased . . . disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly--prosperity crowning the be…
word of God increased . . . disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly--prosperity crowning the beautiful spirit which reigned in this mother community.
a great company of the priests were obedient, &c.--This was the crowning triumph of the Gospel, whose peaceful prosperity was now at its greatest height. After Stephen's teaching and trial made it clear that sacerdotal interests could not stand with the Gospel, such priestly accessions became rare indeed. Note (1) how easily misunderstandings may arise among the most loving and devoted followers of the Lord Jesus: but (2) How quickly and effectually such misunderstandings may be healed, where honest intentions, love, and wisdom reign: (3) What a beautiful model for imitation is furnished by the class here complained of, who, though themselves the majority, chose the new office-bearers from amongst the complaining minority! (4) How superior to the lust of power do the apostles here show themselves to be, in not only divesting themselves of the immediate superintendence of temporal affairs in the Christian community, but giving the choice of those who were to be entrusted with it to the disciples at large! (5) How little of formal organization did the apostles give to the Church at first, and when an emergency arose which demanded something more, how entirely was the remedy suggested by the reason of the thing! (6) Though the new office-bearers are not expressly called Deacons here, it is universally admitted that this was the first institution of that order in the Church; the success of the expedient securing its permanency, and the qualifications for "the office of a Deacon" being laid down in one of the apostolical Epistles immediately after those of "a Bishop" (Ti1 3:8-13).
VII
Versículo 8
VII. STEPHEN ARRAIGNED BEFORE THE SAMHEDRIM. (Act 6:8-15)
STEPHEN ARRAIGNED BEFORE THE SAMHEDRIM. (Act 6:8-15)
And Stephen, &c.--The foregoing narrative seems to be only an introduction to what follows.
full of faith--rather, "of grace," as the best manuscripts read.
VIII
Versículo 9
VIII. synagogue of the Libertines--Jewish freedmen; manumitted Roman captives, or the children of such,…
synagogue of the Libertines--Jewish freedmen; manumitted Roman captives, or the children of such, expelled from Rome (as appears from JOSEPHUS and TACITUS), and now residing at Jerusalem.
Cyrenians--Jews of Cyrene, in Libya, on the coast of Africa.
them of Cilicia--amongst whom may have been Saul of Tarsus (Act 7:58; Act 21:39).
and of Asia--(See on Act 16:6).
IX
Versículo 10
IX. not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake--What he said, and the power with …
not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake--What he said, and the power with which he spake it, were alike resistless.
X
Versículo 11
X. blasphemous words against Moses--doubtless referring to the impending disappearance of the whole …
blasphemous words against Moses--doubtless referring to the impending disappearance of the whole Mosaic system.
and against God--This must refer to the supreme dignity and authority which he claimed for Christ, as the head of that new economy which was so speedily to supersede the old (compare Act 7:56, Act 7:59-60).
XI
Versículo 15
XI. as . . . the face of an angel--a play of supernatural radiance attesting to all who beheld his co…
as . . . the face of an angel--a play of supernatural radiance attesting to all who beheld his countenance the divine calm of the spirit within.
Next: Acts Chapter 7
Nuevo Testamento
Acts — Capítulo 6
FIRST ELECTION OF DEACONS. (Act 6:1-7) the Grecians--the Greek-speaking Jews, mostly born in the provinces. the Hebrews--those Jews born in Palestine who used their native tongue, and were wont to look down on the "Gr…
Texto — Reina-Valera 1960
1En aquellos días, como creciera el número de los discípulos, hubo murmuración de los griegos contra los hebreos, de que las viudas de aquellos eran desatendidas en la distribución diaria.
2Entonces los doce convocaron a la multitud de los discípulos, y dijeron: No es justo que nosotros dejemos la palabra de Dios, para servir a las mesas.
3Buscad, pues, hermanos, de entre vosotros a siete varones de buen testimonio, llenos del Espíritu Santo y de sabiduría, a quienes encarguemos de este trabajo.
4Y nosotros persistiremos en la oración y en el ministerio de la palabra.
5Agradó la propuesta a toda la multitud; y eligieron a Esteban, varón lleno de fe y del Espíritu Santo, a Felipe, a Prócoro, a Nicanor, a Timón, a Parmenas, y a Nicolás prosélito de Antioquía;
6a los cuales presentaron ante los apóstoles, quienes, orando, les impusieron las manos.
7Y crecía la palabra del Señor, y el número de los discípulos se multiplicaba grandemente en Jerusalén; también muchos de los sacerdotes obedecían a la fe.
8Y Esteban, lleno de gracia y de poder, hacía grandes prodigios y señales entre el pueblo.
9Entonces se levantaron unos de la sinagoga llamada de los libertos, y de los de Cirene, de Alejandría, de Cilicia y de Asia, disputando con Esteban.
10Pero no podían resistir a la sabiduría y al Espíritu con que hablaba.
11Entonces sobornaron a unos para que dijesen que le habían oído hablar palabras blasfemas contra Moisés y contra Dios.
12Y soliviantaron al pueblo, a los ancianos y a los escribas; y arremetiendo, le arrebataron, y le trajeron al concilio.
13Y pusieron testigos falsos que decían: Este hombre no cesa de hablar palabras blasfemas contra este lugar santo y contra la ley;
14pues le hemos oído decir que ese Jesús de Nazaret destruirá este lugar, y cambiará las costumbres que nos dio Moisés.
15Entonces todos los que estaban sentados en el concilio, al fijar los ojos en él, vieron su rostro como el rostro de un ángel.
JAMIESON-FAUSSET-BROWN BIBLE COMMENTARY
Versículo 2
I. the multitude--the general body of the disciples.
Versículo 3
II. look ye out among you--that is, ye, "the multitude," from among yourselves.
Versículo 4
III. we will give ourselves to prayer--public prayer, as along with preaching their great work.
Versículo 5
IV. Stephen, &c.--As this and the following names are all Greek, it is likely they were all of the "G…
Versículo 6
V. when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them--the one proclaiming that all official gifts …
Versículo 7
VI. word of God increased . . . disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly--prosperity crowning the be…
Versículo 8
VII. STEPHEN ARRAIGNED BEFORE THE SAMHEDRIM. (Act 6:8-15)
Versículo 9
VIII. synagogue of the Libertines--Jewish freedmen; manumitted Roman captives, or the children of such,…
Versículo 10
IX. not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake--What he said, and the power with …
Versículo 11
X. blasphemous words against Moses--doubtless referring to the impending disappearance of the whole …
Versículo 15
XI. as . . . the face of an angel--a play of supernatural radiance attesting to all who beheld his co…