By prof. A. P. Lopukhin
Acts of the Apostles, chapter 6. 1 – 6. The primary Christian deacons. 7 – 15. St. Archdeacon Stephen.
Acts 6:1. In these days, when the disciples had been multiplying, a murmur arose among the many Hellenists towards the Jews, as a result of their widows weren’t sorted within the distribution of the every day rations.
“In today” – an indefinite chronological indication, giving in any case a purpose to conclude that the occasions described weren’t so distant from their predecessors.
“among the many Hellenists…towards the Jews…”. i.e. between the Hellenistic Christians and the Jews. The “Hellenists” are Jews dwelling within the varied nations of the pagan (Greco-Roman) world, talking the then widespread Greek language. A lot of them had been proselytes, i.e. Gentiles who accepted the Jewish religion. Generally the Hellenists migrated from heathen nations to reside in Palestine and Jerusalem, and in any case they thought of it their responsibility to journey to Jerusalem for the festivals, staying there for an extended or shorter time, and typically staying longer. lengthy due to his business and different affairs. A lot of them additionally accepted Christianity, being absolutely ready for it.
By the identify “Jews” listed here are understood Christians from the unique everlasting Jews, native inhabitants of Palestine, who spoke the Hebrew language.
“When dividing the every day rations…”. Within the Greek unique: ἐν τῇ διακονίᾳ τῇ διακονίᾳ, within the Slavic translation: “in on a regular basis service…”. Because the textual content additional exhibits, this was the service of the “tables,” that’s, supplying the needy with meals and different requirements throughout the communal meals (Acts 2:46), which had been in all probability organized within the varied elements of town, within the public locations of the conferences of the Christians. It appeared to the Hellenists that their widows had been uncared for. This neglect, in fact, was not as a result of apostles themselves, however evidently to their rapid subordinates answerable for this exercise. St. John Chrysostom additionally means that “this was not carried out out of unwell will, however out of inattention to the multitude of individuals… as a result of in such a case there can’t be difficulties.”
It’s potential that right here a sure spirit of exaltation manifested itself earlier than the Hellenists, who had been in nearer contact with the impure heathen atmosphere, which spirit of exaltation couldn’t easy out, as could be seen, even the excessive spirit of Christianity within the first neighborhood in Jerusalem. Regardless of the trigger, the neglect of the Hellenistic widows was there, and it brought about a discontent which was extra harmful than the persecutions from outsiders, and due to this fact the apostles so properly rooted it out on the very starting.
Acts 6:2. Then the twelve apostles, calling collectively the entire multitude of disciples, mentioned: it isn’t good for us to go away the phrase of God and handle the tables.
“having referred to as collectively the entire multitude of the disciples…” i.e. so far as potential the entire Christian neighborhood of Jerusalem, and never solely its representatives or elect. The apostles proposed to the entire society to take away this turmoil, and didn’t determine to take away it solely by way of their authority (cf. John Chrysostom and blessed Theophylact).
“it isn’t good that we…” – οὐκ ἀρεστόν ἐστιν ἡμᾶς, that’s, “we don’t like, we don’t like.”
“to go away the phrase of God,” i.e. preaching the phrase of God, which is their principal responsibility.
Acts 6:3. Due to this fact, brethren, take care to select from amongst you seven males of fine identify, full of the Holy Spirit and with knowledge, whom we’ll appoint to this workplace;
“Select”. The apostles make accessible to the entire neighborhood of believers to select from amongst themselves folks to position them on this workplace.
“seven souls…” Seven is a sacred quantity.
“full of the Holy Spirit…”. This ministry additionally requires the particular presents of the Holy Spirit, as a result of the ministry of the poor just isn’t solely devoted to their bodily wants, but additionally to their religious wants.
“and with knowledge…”. Within the traditional sense of the phrase, to arrange all exercise properly, efficiently, fastidiously – that’s, a purely sensible life advantage is supposed.
Acts 6:4. and we’ll continuously stay in prayer and within the service of the phrase.
“within the service of the phrase,” i. of the preaching of the gospel, versus the care of the desk and the meals.
Acts 6:5. This proposal happy the entire multitude; they usually selected Stephen, a person full of religion and the Holy Spirit, Philippa and Prochora, Nicanora and Timon, Parmena and Nicholas, a proselyte from Antioch,
“full of religion” – this refers to a miraculous religion (1 Cor. 12:9), a person with a particular reward of the Holy Spirit, by way of which Stephen carried out nice miracles and indicators (Acts 6:8).
After Stephen, essentially the most well-known of the others is Philip (Acts 8). Of the remainder, nothing extra is talked about within the writings of the apostles. However church custom has preserved vital details about them: Prochorus was a companion at first of the Apostle Peter, then a companion or scribe of the Apostle John the Theologian, and subsequently a bishop of Nicomedia (in Bithynia), and died a martyr in Antioch.
“Nicanor” – this deacon was killed by the Jews on the day of the homicide of Archdeacon Stephen. “Timon” in line with custom was a bishop of Bostra (in Arabia) who was additionally martyred.
“Parmenus” died earlier than the eyes of the apostles and was buried by them.
“Nicolaus” – a proselyte, an Antiochian, whose selection exhibits the knowledge of the electors, for he undoubtedly belonged to the Hellenists, whose widows had been uncared for and have become an event for discontent to come up. It isn’t identified whether or not he remained on the top of his ministry, solely that his identify just isn’t recorded as a saint.
Acts 6:6. which they positioned earlier than the Apostles, they usually, having prayed, laid fingers on them.
“which they positioned earlier than the Apostles” – for his or her precise inserting on this ministry. It isn’t the society that elected them itself that appoints them, however grants this to the Apostles, who alone had the appropriate and authority to carry out the set up of the elect by the laying on of fingers.
“having prayed” that God’s grace, which heals the weak and fills up the poor, would vouch for the elect for this particular ministry of God’s Church.
“laid fingers on them.” A approach, and with it, an outward symbolic signal of the pouring out upon ordinations of the particular presents of the Holy Spirit. This ordination (cf. Num. 27:18) adopted the prayer, as a symbolic act distinct from it, and never merely accompanying the prayer. This was exactly the motion of consecrating the elect, or the exterior aspect of the sacrament.
“Discover,” says St. John Chrysostom right here, “how the author says nothing superfluous; he doesn’t clarify in what approach, however merely says that they had been ordained by prayer, as a result of that’s how ordination is finished. A hand is laid upon man, however all issues are carried out by God, and His proper hand touches the pinnacle of the ordination, if the ordination be carried out correctly”…
Acts 6:7. And so the phrase of God grew, and the variety of disciples elevated exceedingly in Jerusalem; and an amazing multitude of clergymen obeyed the religion.
“And so the phrase of God grew,” a comment which supplies purpose to conclude that the Christian neighborhood was calmed down, and the apostolic preaching turned particularly profitable, owing to their concentrating totally on this preaching. The success was particularly manifested in the truth that many clergymen even accepted religion in Jesus the Messiah, defeated of their stubbornness by the persuasiveness of the apostolic preaching.
Actions. 6:8. And Stephen, full of religion and energy, carried out nice miracles and omens among the many folks.
“full of religion and energy” – religion because the trigger or supply of miraculous energy, and energy as the actual manifestation and operation of religion. Right here, for the primary time, it’s talked about concerning the efficiency of nice omens and miracles not solely by the apostles, but additionally by different believers – for the extra profitable unfold of Christ’s Church.
Acts 6:9. When there arose a few of the synagogue, so referred to as the synagogue of the libertines, and of that of Cyrenes, Alexandrians, and people who had been from Cilicia and Asia, entered right into a dispute with Stephen;
Acts 6:10. however they might not resist the knowledge and spirit with which he spoke.
“some… entered right into a dispute”, ἀνέστησαν δέ τινες… δέμαροῦντες τῷ Στεφάνῳ…, within the Slavic translation: “Vozstasha ze netsyi… contending with Stephen”.
Those that entered into dispute with Stephen had been Hellenists, as Stephen himself appears to have been, judging by his identify and speech (Acts 7), during which the Outdated Testomony passages are dropped at him by the interpretation of the Septuagint. Custom says that he was even a relative of Saul, who, as is understood, was a local of Tarsus of Cilicia.
Those that disputed with Stephen had been, furthermore, “of the so-called synagogue of Libertines and Cyreneans and Alexandrians” – and “from Cilicia and Asia.” At the moment in Jerusalem, in line with the calculation of the rabbis, there have been about 500 synagogues, together with the talked about 5.
“Libertines” are Jews resettled by the Romans (particularly beneath Pompey in 60 BC) as prisoners of battle in Rome, however then launched and now free returned to their homeland (a lot of them, nevertheless, they voluntarily most well-liked to remain in Rome). These conquered (libertini) fashioned their very own synagogue after their return – “of the libertines”.
“Cyreneans and Alexandrians” – these are Jews from Cyrene and Alexandria who moved to Jerusalem or briefly resided there.
In Cyrene (a metropolis in Libya, west of Egypt), in line with the testimony of Josephus, 1 / 4 of its inhabitants had been Jews, and in Alexandria (in Decrease Egypt) of the 5 elements of town – two of them had been inhabited totally by Jews ( Jewish Antiquities (XIV, 6, 1; XIX, 5, 2). In each cities they’ve lived for a very long time, settled there as prisoners of battle or moved voluntarily. Alexandria was a middle of Jewish-Greek scholarship, the imprint of which was in all probability borne by the synagogue of the Alexandrians in Jerusalem.
“Cilicia and Asia” – two Asia Minor areas the place most of the Jews additionally lived, and the emigrants or non permanent residents of them in Jerusalem additionally had their very own particular synagogues.
All these 5 synagogues rebelled towards Stephen within the particular person of a few of their members and tried to problem him, i.e. his educating and proper to affect the folks.
“They might not resist knowledge.” Knowledge not within the sense of Judeo-Hellenic schooling, however within the sense of true Christian knowledge, within the sense of enlightenment with the truths of the Gospel educating and with the presents of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 12:8).
Actions. 6:11 a.m. Then they taught some males to say: We heard him converse blasphemous phrases towards Moses and towards God.
Actions. 6:12 a.m. And so they stirred up the folks, the elders and the scribes, and, having attacked him, seized him and introduced him to the Sanhedrin.
It’s exceptional that within the case of Stephen, the enemies of Christianity succeeded in successful over the individuals who had been on the aspect of the Christians and the apostles (cf. Acts 5, 13, 26). That is carried out by accusing Stephen of blasphemy, essentially the most severe crime beneath the Mosaic Legislation. As within the judicial accusation of the Lord Himself, the folks frivolously believed this slander, and had been cunningly led to indignation and indignation towards the supposed blasphemer and people to whom he belonged.
The deliberateness of the accusation towards Stephen, and the indignation of the folks towards him, is clear from the truth that the Sanhedrin was already absolutely ready to strive Stephen once they overtly seized him and introduced him thither.
On this approach, the hidden dream of the enemies of Christ was realized – to trigger a pogrom within the Christian neighborhood by arousing the anger of the folks, if not towards the apostles personally, then first towards one of many newly appointed deacons, after which towards the entire neighborhood with the apostles on the head .
Acts 6:13. And so they offered false witnesses, who mentioned: This man doesn’t cease talking blasphemous phrases towards this holy place and towards the Legislation,
“They offered false witnesses,” i.e. individuals who attributed issues to Stephen that he didn’t truly say, twisting his phrases.
“He, maybe, spoke very frankly and spoke concerning the abolition of the regulation, or, extra exactly, he didn’t converse, however hinted, as a result of if he had spoken clearly, then these “some” wouldn’t have wanted false witnesses” (blessed Theophylact).
“towards this holy place” – κατὰ τοῦ τοπου τοῦ ἁγίου καὶ τοῦ νόμου·, i.e. The Jerusalem temple “and towards the regulation,” i.e. The Mosaic Legislation, the inspiration of all Outdated Testomony life.
Simply as throughout the condemnation of the Lord Jesus, the false witnesses misinterpreted one in every of His sentences concerning the destruction of the temple (Matt. 26:61; cf. John 2:19) so as to current Him as a blasphemer, so now the false witnesses towards Stephen in all probability interpreted some his phrases the place he spoke of the remodeling motion of Christianity in relation to the Outdated Testomony. This turned doubtless in his disputes with the Hellenists, and it occurred greater than as soon as (“doesn’t stop”).
Acts 6:14. for we have now heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and alter the customs that Moses handed all the way down to us.
“we heard him say…”, ἀκηκόαμεν γὰρ αὐτοῦ λέγοντος, We heard him say that…- however the additional phrases are usually not truly Stephen’s, however had been put into his mouth by the false witnesses and interpreted by them in their very own approach.
“Jesus of Nazareth…”, within the Greek and Slavic textual content with the addition of the contemptuous “He” (οὗτος).
Actions. 6:15. And all who sat within the Sanhedrin checked out him and noticed that his face was just like the face of an Angel.
“They noticed that his face was just like the face of an Angel.” This was all of the extra shocking, all of the extra unnatural for an abnormal defendant, whom one would have anticipated to see frightened, despairing, or not less than within the hostile temper of a person offended by slander.
Stuffed with totally different emotions, Stephen’s pure soul gave his countenance a manly calmness and a triumphant vitality, which contrasted with the ambiance of the accusers, with their malice and fury, and imparted to his younger countenance a really angelic gentle and pleasantness. If earlier Stephen was full of a particular energy of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:8), then at this decisive and solemn second for him, he was undoubtedly awarded with a particular illumination from the Spirit of God, which turned his very look into an angel-like one.
Illustrative Photograph: Orthodox icon “Martyrdom of St. Stephen”. – The place of St. Archdeacon Stephen’s martyrdom is historically recognized as being near the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem, the place right now there’s a church devoted to the martyred deacon. Christians instantly felt an amazing devotion to St. Stephen, a devotion that solely grew when his relics had been re-discovered within the early a part of the fifth century. His life and martyrdom are portrayed in numerous artworks. Stephen is historically pictured with the palm of martyrdom, or with stones that present how he died.
Supply in Russian: Explanatory Bible, or Commentaries on all of the books of the Holy Scriptures of the Outdated and New Testaments: In 7 volumes / Ed. prof. A. P. Lopukhin. – Ed. 4th. – Moscow: Dar, 2009, 1232 pp.