Acts 6:1

Authorized King James Version

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ἐν
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#2
δὲ
And
but, and, etc
#3
ταῖς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#4
ἡμέραις
days
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
#5
ταύταις
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
#6
πληθυνόντων
was multiplied
to increase (transitively or intransitively)
#7
τῶν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
μαθητῶν
of the disciples
a learner, i.e., pupil
#9
ἐγένετο
there arose
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
#10
γογγυσμὸς
a murmuring
a grumbling
#11
τῶν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#12
Ἑλληνιστῶν
of the Grecians
a hellenist or greek-speaking jew
#13
πρὸς
against
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
#14
τοὺς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#15
Ἑβραίους
the Hebrews
a hebraean (i.e., hebrew) or jew
#16
ὅτι
because
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#17
παρεθεωροῦντο
were neglected
to overlook or disregard
#18
ἐν
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#19
τῇ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#20
διακονίᾳ
ministration
attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the christian teacher, or technically of the diaco
#21
τῇ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#22
καθημερινῇ
the daily
quotidian
#23
αἱ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#24
χῆραι
widows
a widow (as lacking a husband), literally or figuratively
#25
αὐτῶν
their
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Analysis

Within the broader context of Acts, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by introducing key themes that will be developed throughout Acts.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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