Acts 6:5

3 Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint this responsibility to them

4 and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.

6 They presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

7 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.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
KJV
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
WEB
These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,
ASV
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch;
DARBY
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and [the] Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch,
BLB
And the statement was pleasing before all the multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and [of] the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a convert of Antioch,
ÅB
Dette ord syntes hele skaren godt om, og de valgte Stefanus, en mann full av tro og den Hellige Ånd, og Filip og Prokorus og Nikanor og Timon og Parmenas og Nikolaus, en tilhenger av jødenes tro, fra Antiokia;
OTB
Dette forslaget behaget hele forsamlingen. De valgte Stefanus, en mann full av tro og Den Hellige Ånd, sammen med Filip, Prokorus, Nikanor, Timon, Parmenas, og Nikolas, en konvertitt fra Antiokia.
B1930
Dette ord syntes hele skaren godt om, og de valgte Stefanus, en mann full av tro og den Hellige Ånd, og Filip og Prokorus og Nikanor og Timon og Parmenas og Nikolaus, en tilhenger av jødenes tro, fra Antiokia;

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Acts 11:24

    Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

    Read in context
  • Acts 21:8

    Leaving the next day, we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven.

    Read in context
  • Acts 8:5–40

    Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them.

    Read in context
  • Acts 6:8

    Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

    Read in context
  • Acts 7:1–8:2

    Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?”

    Read in context
  • Acts 6:3

    Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint this responsibility to them

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 15:23

    A man takes joy in a fitting reply— and how good is a timely word!

    Read in context
  • Acts 11:19

    Meanwhile those scattered by the persecution that began with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message only to Jews.

    Read in context