SEV Biblia, Chapter 6:3
Buscad pues, hermanos, siete varones de vosotros de buen testimonio, llenos del Espíritu Santo y de sabiduría, los cuales pongamos en esta obra.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 6:3
Verse 3. Wherefore-look ye out among you seven men] Choose persons in whom ye can all confide, who will distribute the provisions impartially, and in due time; and let these persons be the objects of the choice both of the Hebrews and Hellenists, that all cause of murmuring and discontent may be done away. Though seven was a sacred number among the Jews, yet there does not appear to be any mystery intended here. Probably the seven men were to take each his day of service; and then there would be a superintendent for these widows, &c., for each day of the week. Of honest report] marturoumenouv Persons to whose character there is authentic testimony, well known and accredited.
Full of the Holy Ghost] Saved into the spirit of the Gospel dispensation; and made partakers of that Holy Ghost by which the soul is sanctified, and endued with those graces which constitute the mind that was in Christ.
And wisdom] Prudence, discretion, and economy; for mere piety and uprightness could not be sufficient, where so many must be pleased, and where frugality, impartiality, and liberality, must ever walk hand in hand.
Whom we may appoint] Instead of katasthswmen, we may appoint, katasthsomen, we shall appoint, is the reading of ABCDE, and several others. It makes, however, very little difference in the sense.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 3. Wherefore brethren look ye out among you , etc.] Or choose out among you, as the Syriac version adds, and as the Arabic and Ethiopic versions render it; which shows that this sort of officers, deacons, must be members of the church, and of the same church to which they are ordained deacons; and that they must be chosen to that office by the whole community, or by the common suffrages and votes of the people. So the f241 Jews did not appoint snrp , (which may be rendered) an overseer of the poor, in a congregation, without consulting the congregation; which officer seems pretty much to answer to a deacon. Seven men, of honest report ; why the number seven is fixed upon, perhaps no other solid reason is to be given, but that that number was judged sufficient for the care of the poor in that church, and at that time; nor is it obligatory on other churches to have just so many, neither more nor fewer; for such officers are to be chosen as the church requires: perhaps some regard might be had to ry[h ybwj h[b , the seven good men of the f242 city among the Jews, who had great authority in their synagogues, and who had power to sell them, when old and useless; and who seem, according to Maimonides f243 , to be the elders of the people. It is necessary that this sort of officers in the church should be men of honest report; that have a good testimony both from within the church and without, of their honesty and fidelity; since they are intrusted with the churchs stock, and have the care of many devolved upon them: so the collectors of alms among the Jews were to be men ynmanw y[wdy , known and faithful f244 ; men of known probity and integrity: and, besides this good and honest report they were to have from others, they were also to be men full of the Holy Ghost, of wisdom ; they were to be men, not only that had the Spirit of God in them, but who were eminent for their rich experiences of grace; and who had superior gifts of the Spirit, whereby they were capable both of defending the truth against opposers, and of speaking a word of exhortation to duty, or of comfort under distress, or of reproof to members, as circumstances required; and it may be at this time when the church consisted of some of all nations, as seems from ( Acts 2:9-11) it might be necessary that they should have the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit, especially that of speaking with divers tongues, that they might be able to converse with persons of different languages: and wisdom is highly requisite in them, that they may be good economists of the churchs stock, and dispose of it in the most prudent manner: and conduct themselves agreeably to the different tempers and spirits of men they have to do with, and especially in composing differences among members. Whom we may appoint over this business ; assign or make over that part of their office to them, which hitherto they had exercised, and install them into it, and invest them with it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - Hitherto the disciples had been of one accord; this often had bee noticed to their honour; but now they were multiplied, they began to murmur. The word of God was enough to take up all the thoughts, cares and time of the apostles. The persons chosen to serve tables must be duly qualified. They must be filled with gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost, necessary to rightly managing this trust; men of truth, an hating covetousness. All who are employed in the service of the church ought to be commended to the Divine grace by the prayers of the church They blessed them in the name of the Lord. The word and grace of God are greatly magnified, when those are wrought upon by it, who wer least likely.
Greek Textus Receptus
επισκεψασθε 1980 5663 V-ADM-2P ουν 3767 CONJ αδελφοι 80 N-VPM ανδρας 435 N-APM εξ 1537 PREP υμων 5216 P-2GP μαρτυρουμενους 3140 5746 V-PPP-APM επτα 2033 A-NUI πληρεις 4134 A-APM πνευματος 4151 N-GSN αγιου 40 A-GSN και 2532 CONJ σοφιας 4678 N-GSF ους 3739 R-APM καταστησομεν 2525 5692 V-FAI-1P επι 1909 PREP της 3588 T-GSF χρειας 5532 N-GSF ταυτης 3778 D-GSF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
3. Of good report (marturoumenouv). Lit., attested, having witness born them.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
6:3 {Of good report} (marturoumenous). Present passive participle of marturew, to bear witness to. Men with a good reputation as well as with spiritual gifts (the Holy Spirit and wisdom). {We may appoint} (katastesomen). Future active indicative of kaqistemi, we shall appoint. The action of the apostles follows the choice by the church, but it is promised as a certainty, not as a possibility. The Textus Receptus has a first aorist active subjunctive here (katasteswmen).
