Acts 6:2 · Bible study
Acts 6:2 Commentary: The Priority of the Word over Tables
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why the apostles refused to neglect preaching to serve tables, and what this means for church priorities. An in-depth study of Acts 6:2.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The apostles rightly prioritize the ministry of the word over practical service, but they delegate to capable others rather than neglect the poor.
- Key words: arestos (pleasing, agreeable), kataleipsantas (neglecting/forsaking), diakonein (to serve), trapezais (tables).
- Main debate: Whether “tables” refers to food distribution (most commentators) or money exchange (Barnes). The interpretive outcome does not change the central point.
- Theological theme: The primacy of the word ministry and the institutional origin of the office of deacon.
- Best use: A biblical framework for church leadership roles, team-based ministry, and protecting one’s calling.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
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.
WEB World English Bible 2000
The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.
KJV King James Version 1769
Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the word of God, and serve tables.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and the twelve, having called near the multitude of the disciples, said, `It is not pleasing that we, having left the word of God, do minister at tables;
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And the twelve, having called the multitude of the disciples to [them], said, It is not right that we, leaving the word of God, should serve tables.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Then the twelve, calling together the multitude of the disciples, said: It is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Así que, los doce convocaron la multitud de los discípulos, y dijeron: No es justo que nosotros dejemos la palabra de Dios, y sirvamos á las mesas.
E os doze, chamando à multidão dos discípulos, disseram: Não é bom que nós deixemos a palavra de Deus para servirmos às mesas.
Les douze convoquèrent la multitude des disciples, et dirent: Il n’ est pas convenable que nous laissions la parole de Dieu pour servir aux tables.
Da riefen die Zwölf die Menge der Jünger zusammen und sprachen: Es taugt nicht, daß wir das Wort Gottes unterlassen und zu Tische dienen.
En de twaalven riepen de menigte der discipelen tot zich, en zeiden: Het is niet behoorlijk, dat wij het Woord Gods nalaten, en de tafelen dienen.
E i dodici, raunata la moltitudine dei discepoli, dissero: Non è convenevole che noi lasciamo la parola di Dio per servire alle mense.
A tak oni dwunastu zwoławszy mnóstwo uczniów, rzekli: Nie jest słuszna, żebyśmy my opuściwszy słowo Boże, służyli stołom.
Тогда двенадцать Апостолов, созвав множество учеников, сказали: нехорошо нам, оставив слово Божие, пещись о столах.
十二 使徒叫 眾 門徒來，對他們說：「我們 撇下 神 的道 去管理 飯食，原是 不 合宜的。
And the Apostles sent for all the disciples and said, It is not right for us to give up preaching the word of God in order to make distribution of food.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Acts 6:2
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators broadly agree that the apostles are not dismissing the value of serving the poor. They are stating a matter of calling. The Greek adjective arestos ("pleasing"), as Vincent and Clarke note, means "pleasing, agreeable" rather than "reasonable" alone. The apostles are saying it is not pleasing to God or to them that they abandon the word to attend tables. Calvin sees this as a point of prudence: the apostles recognize that their primary gift is preaching, and that involving themselves in daily distribution undermines it. The verb kataleipsantas ("having neglected") is strong: Vincent says it means "forsake or abandon, leave in the lurch." Gill, Wesley and others note that this verse establishes the office of deacon: practical service is necessary, but it belongs to others who are gifted for it. The consensus is that the apostles model wise leadership: they do not abandon service, but delegate it so they can devote themselves to prayer and the word (v. 4).
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The apostles assert that their primary calling is the ministry of the word and prayer, and that it is not appropriate for them to neglect this in order to oversee the distribution of food to the poor.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Apostles' Priority of Word Ministry | All traditions affirm that the apostles were right to prioritize preaching and prayer over administrative tasks. | Some argue this applies only to the apostolic office, while others see it as a principle for all pastors and ministry leaders. |
| Institution of Deacons | This passage is widely regarded as the scriptural foundation for the office of deacon in the church. | Catholics and Orthodox see deacons as a distinct clerical order; many Protestant traditions treat it as a functional role that may be temporary or rotational. |
| Nature of 'Serve Tables' | The phrase refers to practical care for the community's physical needs, especially distributing food to widows. | Some (Barnes) suggest it includes handling money or exchange tables; others (Gill) extend it to the Lord's table and the minister's table. |
| Process of Selection | The community chose the seven, and the apostles appointed them with prayer and laying on of hands. | This is used to support congregational polity, episcopal appointment, or any mixture, depending on tradition. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Acts 6 opens against the backdrop of a church that has grown rapidly. Thousands have been added (Acts 2:41, 4:4), and the believers share their possessions, with daily distributions to widows (Acts 2:44, 45, 4:32, 35). The "Hellenists" (Greek-speaking Jews) and "Hebrews" (Aramaic-speaking Jews) represent a ethnic-linguistic division. The complaint reveals a practical strain: the widows of the Hellenists were being overlooked in the daily service (v. 1). This was not deliberate malice but likely a consequence of the administrative burden on the apostles, who had initially overseen the distribution.
The apostles' response shows a mature handling of conflict. They call the whole community together (proskalesamenoi to plethos), Calvin notes this as evidence that the church was governed by order and reason, with the apostles communicating their counsel to the people. The apostles acknowledge that the work of distributing food is good, but it is not their work. The phrase "serve tables" (diakonein trapezais) refers to overseeing the distribution of food (and possibly money, as Barnes suggests from Matthew 21:12). The cross-reference to Exodus 18:17, 26 underscores the wisdom of delegation: as Jethro advised Moses, so the apostles appoint others to share the burden.
This crisis, internal rather than external, actually strengthened the church. The office of deacon emerged, and the result (v. 7) was that the word of God increased and even many priests were converted. The apostles' refusal to abandon the word was not a rejection of service but a preservation of the gospel's advance.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants in Acts 6:2. The Greek text is stable across the major manuscript families, and all major translations render the verse consistently.
Reception History
In the early church, Acts 6:2 was read as the institution of the diaconate. Irenaeus and Hippolytus grounded the order of deacons here. The verse was used to distinguish the roles of bishops/presbyters (word and prayer) from deacons (service of tables). During the medieval period, the diaconate became a transitional step to priesthood. The Reformation saw a renewal of the diaconal office as a distinct ministry of mercy, with Calvin and others citing Acts 6 for deacons' role in poor relief. Modern scholarship continues to debate whether the seven were deacons in the later sense or a temporary group, but the verse remains central to discussions of church order and the relationship between word and service.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Tension: Word vs. Tables. The apostles faced a real conflict. The poor needed care, but the apostles' calling was to preach. They chose not to pit the two against each other but to reframe them as distinct callings.
- The Principle: Protecting Your Primary Calling. Every believer has a primary assignment from God. For the apostles it was the word and prayer. For others it may be practical service. The key is to know what you are called to and not let other good things crowd it out.
- The Solution: Delegation Does Not Mean Abandonment. The apostles did not wash their hands of the poor. They involved the community in selecting seven qualified men, and they retained oversight. The work continued with fresh energy and more focused leadership.
Five-point outline
- The Problem (v. 1): A complaint that widows were being neglected reveals a growing system straining under success.
- The Summons (v. 2): The twelve call the community together, showing they lead but do not dictate.
- The Statement (v. 2): "It is not pleasing for us to neglect the word of God to serve tables." This is not arrogance but discernment.
- The Proposal (v. 3): Seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, are to be chosen by the people and appointed by the apostles.
- The Result (v. 7): The word of God increased, the disciples multiplied, and even priests were converted.
Illustration hooks
- A pastor drowning in administration: A minister spends so much time managing the church building, scheduling volunteers, and handling finances that his sermon preparation suffers. This passage offers a biblical pattern for sharing leadership.
- A volunteer who feels less spiritual: A member quietly serves in the church kitchen every Sunday and feels her work is not as important as the preacher's. Acts 6 shows that God honors both roles, as long as each person serves in their calling.
- A leader learning to let go: A small group leader is exhausted from doing all the follow-up herself. Hesitant to delegate, she fears that others won't do it right. The apostles model trust in the community and the Spirit.
Questions your congregation is asking
- What is more important: serving the poor or preaching the gospel? (The answer is not either/or.)
- Does this passage mean that pastors should never do practical work?
- How do I know what my primary calling is?
Leading a Discussion
In Acts 6, a church conflict leads to a creative solution that strengthens both the ministry of the word and the care of the poor. The apostles refuse to choose between the two; instead, they find a way to do both well by calling others to serve in a role that matches their gifts. This passage invites us to consider how we prioritize our own callings and how we support the callings of others.
Discussion questions
- What complaint arose among the disciples, and who was involved? (v. 1)
- Why did the apostles say it was not pleasing for them to neglect the word of God to serve tables? What does this reveal about their understanding of their own calling?
- The apostles recommend choosing seven men full of the Spirit and wisdom. Why were these qualifications important for a role that seems primarily practical?
- Read Exodus 18:17, 26. How does the advice of Jethro to Moses parallel the solution the apostles propose?
- In what ways might good tasks (like serving tables) crowd out essential tasks (like prayer and preaching) in our own lives or in our church?
- How does this passage challenge or confirm the way your church organizes leadership and ministry?
- What would it look like for you to identify and protect your primary calling this week, whether it is word, service, or something else?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 18:17 | Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. |
| Exodus 18:26 | They judged the people at all times. They brought the hard cases to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. |
| Numbers 11:11 | Moses said to Yahweh, “Why have you treated your servant so badly? Why haven’t I found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? |
| Numbers 11:13 | Where could I get meat to give all these people? For they weep before me, saying, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’ |
| Deuteronomy 1:9 | I spoke to you at that time, saying, “I am not able to bear you myself alone. |
| Deuteronomy 1:14 | You answered me, and said, “The thing which you have spoken is good to do.” |
| Nehemiah 6:3 | I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I can’t come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and come down to you?” |
| Acts 4:19 | But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves, |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
11 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke argues that the apostles' reluctance to serve tables stems from the unique importance of their office. They saw providing daily bread as a duty others could handle, whereas preaching the word of God was a responsibility no one else could fulfill for them.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes clarifies that "it is not reason" means the apostles found it unsuitable, not merely displeasing, to neglect preaching. He explains "serve tables" refers to managing the church's money and distributing relief, a task beneath their calling to proclaim God's message.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin highlights that the apostles showed both patience in not being offended by the complaint and prudence by addressing the problem immediately before it worsened. He also notes that the Greek phrase signals the apostles are declaring what is profitable, not simply issuing a decree, revealing their shared leadership with the people.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator sees the narrative's odd details as marks of truth: an inventor would have made an apostle the first martyr, not a deacon, and would not have used a widow-relief dispute to launch missionary expansion. The very unexpectedness of these events argues for their historical reality.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
Then the twelue called the multitude of the disciples together, and sayd, It is not meete that we should leaue the worde of God to serue the tables.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill expands the phrase "serve tables" to cover three distinct duties: the poor's table, the Lord's table (providing bread and wine for Communion), and the minister's table (ensuring the pastor's support). For him this shows that deacons were appointed to take over these practical responsibilities so the apostles could focus on preaching.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB stresses that the apostles' refusal to serve tables was not a matter of reason but of settled aversion: they could not submit to being pulled away from preaching, which they regarded as their primary duty. Serving tables meant overseeing provisions, a necessary task but not for them.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange highlights that the church's first internal danger came from hypocrisy, but this second threat arose from ethnic division between Hebrew and Hellenist believers. The apostles responded not by abandoning their calling but by creating a new office, consulting the whole church rather than acting alone, thus preserving unity while protecting their ministry of prayer and the word.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that the church's growth brought an unexpected problem: internal friction between Greek-speaking and Hebrew-speaking believers. He calls this an unhappy disagreement that could have caused real harm, but was wisely settled in time. The apostles protected their calling to prayer and preaching by delegating the daily service to qualified men.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent sharpens the Greek behind two key words. "Leave" means not a gentle departure but abandoning or forsaking someone in the lurch. "Serve tables" means to superintend the distribution of food, making the apostles' role one of oversight rather than mere waiting.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley distinguishes the deacon's proper office as care for the poor from the apostolic call to preach. When some deacons later preached the Gospel, they did so by a separate commission as evangelists, not by virtue of their deaconship, and others were likely chosen deacons in their place.