As the Jerusalem church grew, a real care problem emerged between Greek-speaking and Hebrew-speaking Jewish believers. The apostles addressed it through Spirit-guided delegation, so neglected widows would be cared for justly and so that prayer and the ministry of God’s word would not be neglected.

Acts 6:1–7 shows how church growth can expose real internal strain. As the number of disciples increased, a serious problem came to light: Greek-speaking Jewish widows were being overlooked in the church’s daily food distribution. This was not a small inconvenience. In Scripture, care for widows is part of covenant faithfulness and righteousness, so neglect in this area had to be faced seriously and addressed without delay.

The complaint also had a cultural and language dimension. The tension was between Hellenistic Jews and Hebraic Jews within the believing community, not between believers and unbelievers. Luke does not describe an open doctrinal division. The issue, as stated, was inequity in practical care. Even so, because fairness and trust were at stake, the problem had the potential to harm both the unity and the witness of the church if it was left unresolved.

The Twelve responded by gathering the larger body of disciples. Their response matters. They did not deny the problem, dismiss the complaint, or act as though spiritual life made organized care unnecessary. Instead, they established a structure to address it. At the same time, they made clear that their own calling carried a distinct priority: they were not to leave prayer and the ministry of the word in order to oversee the daily distribution personally. This does not mean practical service was less spiritual or less important. The issue is not sacred versus non-sacred work, but different kinds of entrusted service.

So the apostles told the congregation to choose seven men from among themselves. These men needed to be well attested, with a recognized good reputation in the church. They also had to be full of the Spirit and of wisdom. That requirement shows that practical administration in the church is not merely a matter of efficiency or management skill. It requires spiritual maturity, discernment, and trustworthy character, especially in a situation where confidence and fairness had been shaken.

The apostles would appoint these men over this necessary task, while they themselves would continue to devote themselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. The wording emphasizes steady, ongoing commitment. For the apostles, prayer and word ministry were not occasional duties but central responsibilities that could not be set aside.

The whole congregation approved the proposal and chose seven men. Luke highlights Stephen as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and he also names Philip and the others, including Nicolas, a Gentile convert to Judaism from Antioch. The Greek form of the names may suggest sensitivity to the cultural tension, but the text does not state this directly, so it should remain an inference rather than a certainty.

The apostles then prayed and laid their hands on these men. This publicly set them apart for the work and showed apostolic authorization of their service. The church shared in choosing them, and the apostles formally commissioned them. In this way, the passage shows shared responsibility under recognized leadership.

Many interpreters rightly see these seven as an early form or precursor of the diaconal role, since the passage includes organized service, qualifications, appointment, and delegated responsibility. Even so, caution is needed. Acts 6 does not use the office title "deacon," and Stephen and Philip later carry out ministries wider than food distribution alone. It is best, then, to say that this passage likely shows the beginning or early form of that role, even if the office is not yet fully developed here.

The result of this wise and godly response was not merely smoother administration. Luke says the word of God continued to spread, the number of disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and many priests became obedient to the faith. Faithful handling of internal injustice served the church’s larger mission. In Acts, the advance of the gospel is seen not only in preaching under persecution, but also in the church’s righteous and orderly response to real needs within the covenant community.

This passage should also be read within the wider flow of Acts. Luke is showing how the risen Christ continues to build a witness-bearing people by the Spirit. The point is not merely private morality or generic advice about church organization. This is a corporate event in the life of God’s people, and it helps prepare the church for its expanding witness. Healthy growth required both faithfulness in proclaiming the word and justice in caring for the vulnerable.