Study it in the app“Now in these days, as the disciples were increasing, there arose a complaint by the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.”
The neglected widows are cared for and seven are chosen for itThe Church and Community
NowδὲinἘνtheseταύταιςdays,ταῖς ἡμέραιςas the disciplesτῶν μαθητῶνwere increasing,πληθυνόντωνthere aroseἐγένετοa complaintγογγυσμὸςby the Hellenistsτῶν Ἑλληνιστῶνagainstπρὸςthe Hebrews,τοὺς Ἑβραίουςbecauseὅτιtheirαὐτῶνwidowsαἱ χῆραιwere being overlookedπαρεθεωροῦντοinἐνthe dailyτῇ καθημερινῇdistribution.τῇ διακονίᾳ
lifetime
The time or the years of someone's life.
Where else “hēmerais” appearsdisciple
A follower of Jesus.
Where else “mathētōn” appearsmultiply, increase
Multiply, increase; in the passive, grow, spread.
Where else “plēthynontōn” appearshappen
For an event to occur, for something to take place in history.
Where else “egeneto” appearsgrumbling, murmuring
Grumbling, complaints in low voices; what people say under their breath.
Where else “gongysmos” appearsHellenist
Hellenist: a Jew who spoke Greek and followed Greek ways.
Where else “Hellēnistōn” appearsHebrew
Hebrew: an Israelite, a Jew; especially a Jew who spoke Hebrew or Aramaic and kept the ways of the land of Israel.
Where else “Hebraious” appearswidow
Widow.
Where else “chērai” appearsneglect, overlook
Neglect, overlook, pass by.
Where else “paretheōrounto” appearsdaily
Daily, of every day.
Where else “kathēmerinēi” appearsaid
What is sent to those in need.
Where else “diakoniai” appearsThe “Hellenists” were Greek-speaking Jewish believers who had come from outside Israel; the “Hebrews,” the Aramaic-speaking ones from the land of Israel.
1 · This verse (above)
2So the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.
1. What it says
What complaint arose among the disciples, and whom did they choose to handle it? (vv. 1-6)
2. What it means
Why did the apostles prefer to give themselves to prayer and the word, and entrust the serving to others? (vv. 2-4)
3. How I live it
In this story some people were being overlooked. Whom in your family or community could you pay closer attention to?
