Robertson Word Pictures - Acts 6:2 - 6:2

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Robertson Word Pictures - Acts 6:2 - 6:2


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

The multitude (to plēthos). The whole church, not just the 120.

Fit (areston). Pleasing, verbal adjective from areskō, to please, old word, but in the N.T. only here and Act 12:3; Joh 8:29; 1 Jo Joh 3:22. Non placet.

Should forsake (kataleipsantas). Late first aorist active participle for usual second aorist katalipontas from kataleipō, to leave behind.

Serve tables (diakonein trapezais). Present active infinitive of diakoneō from diakonos (dia and konis, dust), to raise a dust in a hurry, to serve, to minister either at table (Joh 12:20), or other service (Joh 12:25.), to serve as deacon (1Ti 3:10, 1Ti 3:13). “Tables” here hardly means money-tables as in Joh 2:15, but rather the tables used in the common daily distribution of the food (possibly including the love-feasts, Act 2:43-47). This word is the same root as diakonia (ministration) in Act 6:1and diakonos (deacon) in Phi 1:1; 1Ti 3:8-13. It is more frequently used in the N.T. of ministers (preachers) than of deacons, but it is quite possible, even probable, that the office of deacon as separate from bishop or elder grew out of this incident in Act 6:1-7. Furneaux is clear that these “seven” are not to be identified with the later “deacons” but why he does not make clear.