Acts 6:7 · Bible study
Acts 6:7 Commentary: Study, Word Spreads, Priests Believe
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Acts 6:7 records priests obeying the faith. Why this milestone matters for the early church's growth and what 'obedient to the faith' means.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The gospel’s progress in Jerusalem reached a high point: many priests submitted to Christ, proving the word’s power over the religious establishment.
- Key words: “Word of God” (logos tou theou, the preached message in its divine origin); “increased” (auxanō, to grow, spread); “obedient to the faith” (hupēkouon tē pistei, submitting to the conviction/doctrine of Christ).
- Main debate: Whether “faith” here means Christian doctrine or the subjective act of believing. Vincent notes the majority of modern commentators prefer the subjective sense.
- Theological theme: God’s grace breaks through the hardest opposition; church health and unity directly correlate with gospel advance.
- Best use: A summary text for the power of the word, the value of internal unity, and the triumph of grace over hostility. Suitable for evangelistic sermons or leadership lessons.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
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.
WEB World English Bible 2000
The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
KJV King James Version 1769
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And the word of God did increase, and the number of the disciples did multiply in Jerusalem exceedingly; a great multitude also of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was very greatly multiplied, and a great crowd of the priests obeyed the faith.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And the word of the Lord increased: and the number of the disciples was multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly. A great multitude also of the priests obeyed the faith.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y crecía la palabra del Señor, y el número de los discípulos se multiplicaba mucho en Jerusalem: también una gran multitud de los sacerdotes obedecía á la fe.
E a palavra de Deus crescia, e o número dos discípulos se multiplicava muito em Jerusalém; e grande multidão dos sacerdotes obedecia à fé.
La parole de Dieu se répandait de plus en plus, le nombre des disciples augmentait beaucoup à Jérusalem, et une grande foule de sacrificateurs obéissaient à la foi.
Und das Wort Gottes nahm zu, und die Zahl der Jünger ward sehr groß zu Jerusalem. Es wurden auch viele Priester dem Glauben gehorsam.
En het woord Gods wies, en het getal der discipelen vermenigvuldigde te Jeruzalem zeer; en een grote schare der priesteren werd den gelove gehoorzaam.
E la parola di Dio si diffondeva, e il numero dei discepoli si moltiplicava grandemente in Gerusalemme; e anche una gran quantità di sacerdoti ubbidiva alla fede.
I rosło słowo Boże, i pomnażał się bardzo poczet uczniów w Jeruzalemie: wielkie też mnóstwo kapłanów było posłuszne wierze.
И слово Божие росло, и число учеников весьма умножалось в Иерусалиме; и из священников очень многие покорились вере.
神 的道 興旺起來； 在 耶路撒冷 門徒 數目 加增 的甚多，也有 許多 祭司 信從 了這道。
And the word of God was increasing in power; and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem became very great, and a great number of priests were in agreement with the faith.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Acts 6:7
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Acts 6:7 marks a summit of the Jerusalem church’s peaceful prosperity. The verse comes directly after the apostles resolved the Hellenist widows’ complaint by appointing seven servants (deacons). Luke summarises three connected results: the word of God increased, disciples multiplied, and many priests became obedient to the faith.
Barnes, Calvin, and Gill all note how surprising the priests’ conversion was. These men had been the most hostile to Christ and his apostles. As Clarke puts it, their conversion is “one of the greatest miracles wrought by the grace of Christ.” The priests had earlier boasted that none of the rulers believed in Jesus (John 7:48); now a great company submitted to his gospel.
On the phrase “obedient to the faith,” Vincent’s Word Studies notes a long-standing debate. Some take “faith” as Christian doctrine (the faith once delivered), while others read it as the subjective principle of faith in Christ. Vincent argues that the majority of New Testament uses favour the subjective sense: obedience to faith as the authoritative impulse of the new life in Christ. Calvin and Barnes likewise explain it as submitting to what the gospel requires, especially belief.
The verse thus celebrates the word’s unstoppable advance and the grace that conquers even hardened hearts.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Faith as Christian doctrine: Takes 'faith' as the body of revealed truth (the 'faith once delivered'). Pointing to Galatians 1:23 and the ecclesiastical use of 'the faith' in later epistles.
- Faith as subjective trust in Christ: Vincent and most modern commentators read 'faith' as the conviction and confidence regarding Jesus Christ, arguing this fits New Testament usage and the phrase 'obedience of faith' (Romans 1:5).
What is clear: The priests submitted to the Christian message, whatever precise nuance of 'faith' they embraced, marking a dramatic turning point in the Jerusalem church’s history.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of 'faith' in 'obedient to the faith' | All commentators see the phrase as describing submission to the Christian message, whether understood as doctrine or as personal trust in Christ. | Some (e.g., early ecclesiastical use) take faith as the body of Christian teaching. Vincent, supported by most modern exegetes, argues it is subjective faith in Christ, the conviction and confidence regarding Jesus as mediator. |
| Textual variant: 'priests' or 'Jews' | The majority of manuscripts read 'priests'; the reading is considered genuine by virtually all modern editors. | A few manuscripts and the Syriac version read 'Jews'. Clarke and Barnes mention this variant and reject it as unsupported by the best witnesses. |
| Significance of the priests' conversion | All commentators treat it as a remarkable demonstration of the gospel's power, given the priests' previous hostility and their role in opposing Christ. | Some (Calvin, Barnes) emphasise it as proof that the gospel can subdue even the proud and haughty. Clarke sees it as a greater miracle than the apostles' signs because it was a moral transformation. |
| Connection between church unity and growth | The resolution of the Hellenist widows' complaint is directly linked to the numerical success in verse 7. | Commentators differ on how much agency to assign to human structures. The Cambridge Bible notes the 'means God employed' are not what a second-century inventor would devise, suggesting divine providence. Lange and Matthew Henry stress the wisdom of the apostles' response. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Acts 6:7 closes a narrative unit that began with internal division. In verses 1, 6, Hellenist (Greek-speaking Jewish) widows complained that their needs were overlooked. The apostles responded by letting the congregation choose seven men to oversee the daily distribution. This decision preserved the apostles’ focus on prayer and preaching. The verse then reports the outcome: harmony at home fuelled outward growth.
The location is Jerusalem, the heart of Jewish worship and the seat of the Sanhedrin. The temple with its daily sacrifices dominated the city. The priests served there in rotating courses; many were Sadducees who denied the resurrection and opposed the Christian message (Acts 4:1, 2; 5:17). For a great company of these priests to become obedient to the faith was a seismic shift. It meant that the very class charged with maintaining the old covenant was now embracing the new.
Luke records this as a deliberate counterpart to earlier rejections. When the high priest and Sadducees arrested the apostles, they were furious (Acts 5:17, 18). Now some of their own colleagues were joining the movement. This conversion also fulfilled hopes found in the Old Testament, where prophets longed for priests clothed with righteousness and salvation (Psalm 132:9, 16). The gospel was reaching up the social and religious ladder, even as it continued to draw the common people.
Yet this high point is also a pivot. The very next verses introduce Stephen and the persecution that will scatter the church (Acts 8:1). The peace was real but not permanent. The word that increased in Jerusalem would soon be carried through Judea and Samaria.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note one significant textual variant. Instead of “priests” (ἱερέων), a few manuscripts and the Syriac version read “Jews” (Ἰουδαίων). Clarke and Barnes both mention this reading and consider it a later scribal attempt to soften the difficulty of so many priests converting. The reading “priests” is supported by the overwhelming majority of Greek manuscripts and is accepted by all modern critical editions. No other variants of consequence are reported for this verse.
Reception History
From the early church onward, Acts 6:7 has been read as a pivotal summary of the gospel’s advance in Jerusalem. Chrysostom (Homilies on Acts) notes the astonishing nature of priestly conversions, remarking that those who had once cried “Crucify him” were now bowing to his name. In the Reformation era, Calvin and the Geneva Bible emphasise the verse as evidence that God preserves and grows his church through means, here, the appointment of deacons and the apostles’ steadfastness in preaching. Later Wesleyan and Methodist traditions, represented by Clarke and Wesley, see in the priests’ obedience a proof of entire sanctification: even the most ingrained opposition can yield to grace. Throughout history the verse has been used in ordination sermons to illustrate the fruit of Spirit‑led leadership and in revival preaching to show that no class of people is beyond the reach of the gospel.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The word increases when the church is united. The appointment of deacons resolved internal conflict. The result was not just better administration but a surge in gospel advance.
- Disciples multiply when servants serve. The apostles stayed with prayer and the word; the seven served tables. The division of labour allowed both feeding and preaching.
- No heart is beyond the gospel. The priests had been the fiercest opponents. Their conversion proves that grace can reach the most resistant.
Five-point outline
- Internal problems are not the end of the story. The murmuring could have split the church, but wise leadership turned it into growth.
- Gospel growth is God’s work, but human structures help. The apostles did not ignore the problem; they created a practical solution.
- Numbers matter when they represent lives changed. Luke does not give a bare statistic; he ties the number to the word’s increase and the priests’ obedience.
- The faith is something we obey, not just accept. “Obedient to the faith” suggests a whole-life submission to what the gospel commands.
- The most unlikely converts are often the most powerful witnesses. Former priests could testify that the old covenant was fulfilled in Christ.
Illustration hooks
- A rival sports team’s star player switches sides mid-season. The locker room is stunned, but his insider knowledge strengthens the new team.
- A community after a heated town meeting about a new park: once the complaints are heard and a fair process is set, the park gets built and draws families from everywhere.
- A long-time critic of a local charity volunteers to serve meals after seeing how it treats its staff. The contrast between his previous hostility and his new commitment is striking.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why did so many priests convert at this point? What changed?
- Does “obedient to the faith” mean we have to earn our salvation, or is it a way of describing how genuine belief always leads to action?
- If the church grew most when it was united, what does that mean for our own conflicts?
Leading a Discussion
Acts 6:7 is a snapshot of the early church at its most flourishing. The verse follows one of the first internal disputes in the Christian community, a dispute about fairness in caring for widows. The apostles responded by raising up servants, and the result was explosive growth. This passage invites us to consider how unity, service, and the spread of the word are connected.
Discussion questions
- What does the word “increased” say about the nature of the gospel? (Look at Acts 12:24 for a similar phrase.)
- Why does Luke mention the priests’ conversion so specifically? What made it “astonishing” (Clarke’s word)?
- How is faith something we can “obey”? Does that phrase shape how you think about your own response to the gospel?
- Compare the priests’ response with the rulers’ response in John 12:42. What caused some to believe while others remained hidden?
- The verse comes after a conflict was resolved. How does unity in a church create conditions for growth?
- What kind of “word of God” is spreading in your life right now? Where are you seeing increase or stagnation?
- How can your group or church better serve those on the margins (widows, the overlooked) so that the word can increase?
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)
| II Chronicles 29:34 | But the priests were too few, so that they could not skin all the burnt offerings. Therefore their brothers the Levites helped them until the work was ended, and until the priests had sanctified themselves, for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests. |
| II Chronicles 30:24 | For Hezekiah king of Judah gave to the assembly for offerings one thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the assembly a thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep; and a great number of priests sanctified themselves. |
| Psalms 132:9 | Let your priests be clothed with righteousness. Let your saints shout for joy! |
| Psalms 132:16 | I will also clothe her priests with salvation. Her saints will shout aloud for joy. |
| Matthew 19:30 | But many will be last who are first, and first who are last. |
| Luke 2:34 | Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. |
| John 12:42 | Nevertheless, even many of the rulers believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they didn’t confess it, so that they wouldn’t be put out of the synagogue, |
| Acts 12:24 | But the word of God grew and multiplied. |
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 marvels that Jesus' grace could convert even the priests who had sought to destroy him. He argues this proves sinners are won not by miracles but by preaching Christ's death and resurrection. The astonishing conversion of these hostile priests shows the power of the gospel over the worst offenses.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes notes that the conversion of many priests was a remarkable display of the gospel's power, since priests had been among the gospel's most hostile opponents. Their humble submission proved that the gospel could subdue even the proudest classes, removing the reproach that it only reached people of lower social standing.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin highlights two things as particularly remarkable: the church's growth despite endless opposition, and the conversion of many priests, who were usually its fiercest enemies. He notes that the Word grows here not by individual spiritual progress but by new disciples being brought to obedience, and he restricts this great increase to Jerusalem alone.
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
The Geneva note highlights that the word of God spread so powerfully even the priests—formerly the gospel's most determined opponents—were brought to
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights the remarkable conversion of the priests, who were the gospel's bitterest enemies, yet a great company of them became obedient to the faith. He sees this as evidence of the irresistible power of efficacious grace, working even in the stronghold of opposition.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB calls the conversion of many priests the crowning triumph of the Gospel, noting that after Stephen's ministry made clear that priestly interests could not coexist with the faith, such accessions became rare. He also highlights that from this situation the apostles instituted the office of deacon in a simple, need-based way, letting the community choose its own leaders.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange highlights that the internal conflict over neglected widows posed a greater threat than external persecution. The apostles responded by instituting a new office, the Seven, not as a pre-planned structure but as an organic development to free themselves for prayer and the word. This showed the church growing its organization from within as needs arose.
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 argues that "faith" in this context means personal trust in Jesus Christ, not the body of Christian doctrine. He bases this on the New Testament's consistent use of faith as subjective confidence in Christ, supported by analogies like "obedience of Christ" meaning obedience to Christ rather than obedience produced by Christ.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
And the word of God grew - The hinderances being removed.