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.
Parallel translations
- WEB 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.
- BSB 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.
- NKJV Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.
- NASB So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.
- NLT So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The Twelve say it is wrong for them to abandon preaching the word in order to serve tables. Different ministries must be ordered, not neglected.
Overview
The apostles do not despise practical service but recognize their primary calling to the word. Their concern is that essential ministries not crowd out one another. This wise prioritizing safeguards the proclamation of the gospel while ensuring the needy are not forgotten.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Deut 1:9–14And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone:
- Exod 18:17–26And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.
- 2 Tim 2:4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
- Neh 6:3And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
- Num 11:11–13And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?
- Acts 25:27For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.
- Acts 21:22What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
- Acts 4:19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 6:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.