Acts 6:2

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The Twelve address the entire body of disciples at a moment when rapid church growth has triggered complaints about equitable food distribution to widows.

The words — προσκαλεσάμενοι (proskalesamenoi) translates literally as "having called near," describing the apostles gathering the full community before addressing the administrative crisis.

The thread — The text records Moses stating he cannot bear the people’s burden alone in Deuteronomy 1:9, Jethro observing that Moses’ current method is not good in Exodus 18:17, and Paul noting a soldier refrains from civilian affairs to please his commander in 2 Timothy 2:4.

Why it lands — The verse requires readers to acknowledge that leadership must formally delegate practical tasks to preserve core responsibilities, and it directs communities to identify and appoint others to handle those delegated duties.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 1:9 At that time I said to you, “I cannot carry the burden for you alone.
Exodus 18:17 But Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good.
2 Timothy 2:4 A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.
Nehemiah 6:3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to go down to you?”
Numbers 11:11 So Moses asked the LORD, “Why have You brought this trouble on Your servant? Why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid upon me the burden of all these people?
Acts 4:19 But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God.
Acts 21:22 What then should we do? They will certainly hear that you have come.
Acts 25:27 For it seems unreasonable to me to send on a prisoner without specifying the charges against him.”