Acts 6:4
New International Version
and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

New Living Translation
Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”

English Standard Version
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Berean Standard Bible
and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Berean Literal Bible
And we will steadfastly continue in prayer and the ministry of the word."

King James Bible
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

New King James Version
but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

New American Standard Bible
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

NASB 1995
“But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

NASB 1977
“But we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”

Legacy Standard Bible
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word.”

Amplified Bible
But we will [continue to] devote ourselves [steadfastly] to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Christian Standard Bible
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the preaching ministry.”

American Standard Version
But we will continue stedfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word.

Contemporary English Version
We can spend our time praying and serving God by preaching."

English Revised Version
But we will continue stedfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
However, we will devote ourselves to praying and to serving in ways that are related to the word."

Good News Translation
We ourselves, then, will give our full time to prayer and the work of preaching."

International Standard Version
Then we'll devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

Majority Standard Bible
and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.?

NET Bible
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

New Heart English Bible
But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word."

Webster's Bible Translation
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Weymouth New Testament
But, as for us, we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the delivery of the Message."

World English Bible
But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and we to prayer, and to the ministry of the word, will give ourselves continually.”

Berean Literal Bible
And we will steadfastly continue in prayer and the ministry of the word."

Young's Literal Translation
and we to prayer, and to the ministration of the word, will give ourselves continually.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And we will persevere in prayer, and the service of the word.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Yet truly, we will be continually in prayer and in the ministry of the Word.”

New American Bible
whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

New Revised Standard Version
while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And we shall continue in prayer, and in the Ministry of the word.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.

Godbey New Testament
and we will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.

Haweis New Testament
But we will devote ourselves constantly to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Mace New Testament
whilst we shall continue our applications to prayer, and to preaching.

Weymouth New Testament
But, as for us, we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the delivery of the Message."

Worrell New Testament
but we will devote ourselves steadfastly to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

Worsley New Testament
but we will constantly attend to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Choosing of the Seven
3Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint this responsibility to them 4and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.…

Cross References
Luke 18:1
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart:

1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing.

Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,

Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.

Ephesians 6:18
Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.

Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

1 Timothy 2:1
First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.

1 Peter 4:7
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray.

Matthew 18:19-20
Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. / For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”

John 15:7
If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

1 John 5:14-15
And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. / And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.

Psalm 55:17
Morning, noon, and night, I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.

Daniel 6:10
Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

Nehemiah 1:4-6
When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. / Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments, / let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned.


Treasury of Scripture

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

give.

Acts 2:42
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Acts 20:19-31
Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: …

Romans 12:6-8
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; …

prayer.

Acts 1:14
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Acts 13:2,3
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them…

Romans 1:9
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

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Acts 6
1. The apostles, desirous to have the poor cared for,
2. as also careful themselves to dispense the word of God, the food of the soul,
3. recommend,
5. and with the church's consent ordain seven chosen men to the office of deaconship.
7. The word of God prevails,
8. Stephen, full of faith and the Holy Spirit, confuting those with whom he disputed,
12. is brought before the council,
13. and falsely accused of blasphemy against the law and the temple.














But we
This phrase indicates a contrast with the previous verses where the apostles are addressing the issue of the distribution of food to widows. The "we" refers to the apostles, who are distinguishing their roles from those appointed to handle the practical needs of the community. The Greek word for "we" (ἡμεῖς, hēmeis) emphasizes the collective responsibility and unity among the apostles in their mission.

will devote ourselves
The Greek word used here is "προσκαρτερήσομεν" (proskarterēsomen), which means to persist or to be steadfastly attentive to something. This implies a continuous, unwavering commitment. The apostles are expressing their dedication to their primary calling, which is spiritual rather than administrative. This devotion is not a casual or occasional activity but a focused and persistent effort.

to prayer
Prayer (προσευχῇ, proseuchē) is a fundamental aspect of the apostles' ministry. It signifies communication with God, seeking His guidance, strength, and wisdom. In the early church, prayer was central to the life of believers, reflecting their dependence on God for the success of their mission. The apostles' commitment to prayer underscores the importance of spiritual disciplines in leadership and ministry.

and to the ministry
The word "ministry" (διακονία, diakonia) in Greek refers to service or attendance to the needs of others. Here, it specifically relates to the spiritual service of teaching and preaching the Word of God. The apostles are setting a precedent for prioritizing spiritual nourishment and guidance for the community, which is essential for the growth and health of the church.

of the word
The "word" (λόγου, logou) refers to the message of the Gospel, the teachings of Jesus Christ, and the Scriptures. The apostles are tasked with the responsibility of spreading the Gospel and ensuring that the teachings of Christ are accurately communicated and preserved. This highlights the centrality of Scripture in the life of the church and the role of leaders in faithfully teaching and upholding biblical truth.

(4) We will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.--Literally, We will persevere in . . . These formed the true work of the Apostles, as afterwards of the bishops or elders of the Church. "Prayer" includes the public worship of the Church in all its various developments, as well as private prayer and intercession; the "ministry of the word," all forms of teaching.

It is to be noted that the men thus appointed are never called "deacons" in the New Testament. When they are referred to again it is as "the Seven" (Acts 21:8), as though they were a distinct and peculiar body. Their functions were, of course, in some degree, analogous to those of the "deacons" of the Pastoral Epistles and the later organisation of the Church; but these, as we have seen, had their prototypes in the "young men," as contrasted with "elders," in Acts 5:6; Acts 5:10; and the Seven were probably appointed, so to speak, as archdeacons, to superintend and guide them. In some churches, as at Rome, the number of deacons was fixed at seven, in conformity with this precedent (so also at the Council of Neo-Caesarea, Can. 14, A.D. 314), and they were considered, when the bishop came to be distinguished from the elders, as acting more immediately under the direction of the former, helping him in the details of his office.

Verse 4. - Continue steadfastly in for give ourselves continually to, A.V.; in (the ministry) for to, A.V. Steadfastly. The verb προσκαρτερέω is of frequent use in the Acts (see Acts 1:14; Acts 2:42; 5:46; 8:13; x. 7; see also Colossians 4:2). It is used of persons and things to which any one adheres closely and perseveringly, which are put in the dative case, as here. But sometimes it has the prepositions ἐν or εἰς after it, as in Acts 5:46; Hist. of Susann. 7; Romans 13:6. Ver. 5. - Holy Spirit for Holy Ghost, A.V. The mention of Stephen, and the narrative which follows leading up from Stephen's martyrdom to St. Paul (Acts 7:60), show to what the writer is tending. He selects the incidents in the history of the Church at Jerusalem which connect themselves most directly with that after history which was the object he had in view. It has been thought by some that the Greek character of all seven names is an indication that they were Hellenists. Such a conclusion, however, is not warranted, as many Jews who were not Hellenists had Greek or Latin names, e.g. Paul, Sylvanus, Aquila, Priscilla, Marcus, Justus, Petrus, Didymus, etc. At the same time, it is likely that some of them were. One, Nicolas, was a proselyte. The object, doubtless, was to ensure perfect fairness of distribution of the Church charities. Stephen and Philip (Acts 8:5, etc.; Acts 21:8) are the only two of whom we know anything beyond their names.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
and
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

devote ourselves
προσκαρτερήσομεν (proskarterēsomen)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 4342: To persist, persevere in, continue steadfast in; I wait upon.

to
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

prayer
προσευχῇ (proseuchē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4335: From proseuchomai; prayer; by implication, an oratory.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

ministry
διακονίᾳ (diakonia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1248: Waiting at table; in a wider sense: service, ministration. From diakonos; attendance; figuratively aid, service.

of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

word.”
λόγου (logou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.


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