Teks -- Acts 6:4 (NET)

6:4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Robertson: Act 6:4 - But we

But we ( hemeis de ).

In contrast to the work given the seven.

Robertson: Act 6:4 - The ministry of the word

The ministry of the word ( tēi diakoniāi tou logou ).

The same word diakoniāi employed in Act 6:1, but here about preaching as the special ministry with which the apostles were concerned. For "continue steadfastly"(proskarterēsomen ) See note on Act 2:42.

Vincent: Act 6:4 - We will give ourselves continually

We will give ourselves continually ( προσκαρτερήσομεν )

See on Act 1:14. Rev., continue steadfastly.

Wesley: Act 6:4 - We will constantly attend to prayer, and to the ministry of the word

This is doubtless the proper business of a Christian bishop: to speak to God in prayer; to men in preaching his word, as an ambassador for Christ.

JFB: Act 6:2-4 - the multitude

The general body of the disciples.

JFB: Act 6:2-4 - It is not reason

The word expresses dislike; that is "We cannot submit."

JFB: Act 6:2-4 - to leave the word of God

To have our time and attention withdrawn from preaching; which, it thus appears, they regarded as their primary duty.

JFB: Act 6:2-4 - to serve tables

Oversee the distribution of provisions.

JFB: Act 6:4 - we will give ourselves to prayer

Public prayer, as along with preaching their great work.

Clarke: Act 6:4 - We will give ourselves continually to prayer

We will give ourselves continually to prayer - Προσκαρτερησομεν, We will steadfastly and invariably attend, we will carefully keep our hearts to this work. The word is very emphatic

To prayer. - See this defined, Mat 6:5 (note). Even apostles could not live without prayer; they had no independent graces; what they had could not be retained without an increase; and for this increase they must make prayer and supplication, depending continually on their God

Clarke: Act 6:4 - Ministry of the word

Ministry of the word - Διακονιᾳ του λογου, The deaconship of the word. The continual proclamation of the Gospel of their Lord; and, to make this effectual to the souls of the hearers, they must continue in prayer: a minister who does not pray much, studies in vain

The office of deacon, διακονος, came to the Christian from the Jewish Church. Every synagogue had at least three deacons, which were called פרנסים parnasim , from פרנס parnes , to feed, nourish, support, govern. The פרנס parnas , or deacon, was a sort of judge in the synagogue; and, in each, doctrine and wisdom were required, that they might be able to discern and give right judgment in things both sacred and civil. The חזן chazan , and שמש shamash , were also a sort of deacons. The first was the priest’ s deputy; and the last was, in some cases, the deputy of this deputy, or the sub-deacon. In the New Testament the apostles are called deacons, 2Co 6:4; Eph 3:7; Col 1:23 : see also 2Co 11:15. Christ himself, the Shepherd and Bishop of souls, is called the deacon of the circumcision, λεγω δε Χριστον Ιησουν διακονον γεγενησθαι περιτομης, Rom 15:8. As the word implies to minister or serve, it was variously applied, and pointed out all those who were employed in helping the bodies or souls of men; whether apostles, bishops, or those whom we call deacons. Some remark that there were two orders of deacons

1.    Διακονοι της τραπιζης, deacons of the Table, whose business it was to take care of the alms collected in the Church, and distribute them among the poor, widows, etc

2.    Διακονοι του λογου, deacons of the Word, whose business it was to preach, and variously instruct the people. It seems that after the persecution raised against the apostolic Church, in consequence of which they became dispersed, the deaconship of tables ceased, as did also the community of goods; and Philip, who was one of these deacons, who at first served tables, betook himself entirely to preaching of the word: see Act 8:4, etc

In the primitive Church, it is sufficiently evident that the deacons gave the bread and wine in the Eucharist to the believers in the Church, and carried it to those who were absent, Just. Mar. Apol. ii. p. 162; they also preached, and in some cases administered baptism. See Suicer on the words Διακονος, Κηρυσσω, and Βαπτισμα . But it appears they did the two last by the special authority of the bishop. In the ancient Roman Church, and in the Romish Church, the number of seven deacons, in imitation of those appointed by the apostles, was kept up; and in the council of Neocaesarea it was decreed that this number should never be exceeded, even in the largest cities: vide Concil. Neocaesar. Canon. xiv. other Churches varied this number; and the Church of Constantinople had not less than one hundred. Deacons were ordained by the bishops, by imposition of hands. None was ordained deacon till he was twenty-five years of age, and we find that it was lawful for them to have wives. See Suicer under the word Διακονος, and see the note on Mat 20:26

In the Church of England, (the purest and nearest to the apostolical model in doctrine and discipline of all national Churches), a deacon receives ordination by the imposition of the hands of a bishop, in consequence of which he can preach, assist in the sacrament of the Lord’ s Supper, and in general perform any sacred office, except consecrating the elements, and pronouncing the absolution. No person in this Church can be ordained deacon till he be twenty-three years of age, unless by dispensation from the Abp. of Canterbury. There were deaconesses, both in the apostolic and primitive Church, who had principally the care of the women, and visited and ministered to them in those circumstances in which it would have been improper for a deacon to attend. They also assisted in preparing the female candidates for baptism

At present, the office for which the seven deacons were appointed is, in the Church of England, filled by the churchwardens and overseers of the poor; in other Churches and religious societies, by elders, stewards, etc., chosen by the people, and appointed by the minister.

Calvin: Act 6:4 - And we will give ourselves unto prayer

4.And we will give ourselves unto prayer They show again that they have too much business otherwise, wherein they may exercise themselves during their whole life. For the old proverb agreeth hereunto very fitly, which was used sometimes in the solemn rites, do this. Therefore, they use the word [προσκαρτερησαι ] which signifieth to be, as it were, fastened and tied to anything. Therefore, pastors must not think that they have so done their duty that they need to do no more when they have daily spent some time in teaching. There is another manner of study, another manner of zeal, another manner of continuance ³⁴⁹ required, that they may ³⁵⁰ indeed boast that they are wholly given to that thing. They adjoin thereunto prayer, not that they alone ought to pray, (for that is an exercise common to all the godly,) but because they have peculiar causes to pray above all others. There is no man which ought not to be careful for the common salvation of the Church. How much more, then, ought the pastor, who hath that function enjoined him by name to labor carefully [anxiously] for it? So Moses did indeed exhort others unto prayer, but he went before them as the ringleader ³⁵¹ (Exo 17:11.) And it is not without cause that Paul doth so often make mention of his prayers, (Rom 1:10.) Again, we must always remember that, that we shall lose all our labor bestowed upon plowing, sowing, and watering, unless the increase come from heaven, (1Co 3:7.) Therefore, it shall not suffice to take great pains in teaching, unless we require the blessing at the hands of the Lord, that our labor may not be in vain and unfruitful. Hereby it appeareth that the exercise of prayer ³⁵² is not in vain commended unto the ministers of the word.

TSK: Act 6:4 - give // prayer

give : Act 2:42, Act 20:19-31; Rom 12:6-8; 1Co 9:16; Col 4:17; 1Ti 4:13-16; 2Ti 4:2

prayer : Act 1:14, Act 13:2, Act 13:3; Rom 1:9; Eph 1:15-17, Eph 3:14-21; Phi 1:4, Phi 1:9-11; Col 1:9-13; Col 2:1, Col 4:12

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Act 6:4 - We will give ourselves continually // To prayer, and to the ministry of the word

We will give ourselves continually we will stick close, and with perseverance, to this work.

To prayer, and to the ministry of the word the two great employs of a minister of Jesus Christ; to pray unto God for the people, and to speak unto the people from the Lord: these, though great businesses, they durst not delegate from themselves unto others to perform for them.

Gill: Act 6:4 - But we will give ourselves continually to prayer // and to the ministry of the word

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer,.... Both in private for themselves, and the church; and in the houses and families of the saints, with the sick and distressed;. and in public, in the temple, or in whatsoever place they met for public worship:

and to the ministry of the word; the preaching of the Gospel, to which prayer is absolutely prerequisite, and with which it is always to be joined. These two, prayer and preaching, are the principal employment of a Gospel minister, and are what he ought to be concerned in, not only now and then, but what he should give himself up unto wholly, that his profiting might appear; and what he should be continually exercised and employed in: and if parting with that branch of the ministerial function, the care of the secular affairs of the church, and of the poor of it, was necessary in the apostles, that they might be more at leisure to attend to the more important and useful duties of prayer and preaching; it therefore seems necessary that those who are called to labour in the word and doctrine, if possible, should be exempt from all worldly business and employment; that of the ministry being sufficient to engross all a man's time and thoughts.