Note 1 at Acts 6:1: The choosing of these men was directly related to the number of the disciples being multiplied. At this time, we know there were at least 8,000 believers in the Jerusalem church (Acts 2:41; 4:4; 5:14).

These men (commonly called deacons-see note 9 at Acts 6:4, p. 601) were ordained to supply a need in the body of believers. Today, many churches are more concerned with the form than the function of deacons. If the body of believers is so small that no one is being neglected, then there is no need for deacons. Deacons are meant to serve, not just hold a position.

Note 2 at Acts 6:1: The word "Grecian" meant a Hellenist or Greek. However, these were probably not Gentiles who were proselytes to Judiasm, but rather Jews who had been scattered to other countries and, although they were now back in Judea, they spoke Greek as their first language.

Note 3 at Acts 6:1: The name Hebrew was first used in Gen. 14:13 where Abram was called a Hebrew. The name literally means "pertaining to the other side or to Eber." This was the Cananite's way of referring to Abram being from the other side of the Euphrates River or being a descendant of Eber (Gen. 11:15-17). The name came to be used of all God's chosen people who were descendants of Abraham through Jacob (Gen. 39:14; Ex. 1:15).

In this instance, the name specified a Jew who spoke the Hebrew language, as contrasted with Jews who spoke Greek. In the Jews' efforts to maintain their identity as a nation while under Roman occupation, retaining the Hebrew language and customs became very important to some and gave rise to this division of the Jews into these two groups.

This group of Hebrew Jews was very similar in origin to the sect of the Pharisees (see note 2 at Mt. 3:7, p. 69). Like the Pharisees, there was some good in their ideas that caused this division. However, as members of Christ's body, these believers belonged to a heavenly kingdom. Their preoccupation with earthly nationalities, and preference given to their sect. was misplaced and caused the first contention in the church.

Note 4 at Acts 6:1: Paul later wrote in 1 Timothy 5:3-16 about the way the New Testament church cared for widows. From those verses we can see that the church was totally responsible for their physical needs. This is what is made reference to in this instance. The Grecian widows were being slighted in the daily distribution of food and clothing while the Hebrews were giving preference to their own widows.