Why not twelve but seven in Acts 6?

Acts 6:1-4:
1 And in these days, the disciples multiplying, there came a murmuring of the Hellenists at the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily ministration,
2 and the twelve, having called near the multitude of the disciples, said, `It is not pleasing that we, having left the word of God, do minister at tables;
3 look out, therefore, brethren, seven men of you who are well testified of, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may set over this necessity,
4 and we to prayer, and to the ministration of the word, will give ourselves continually.`


When I read these verses my understanding was, when church grow, the twelve (I believed refer to the twelve Jesus disciples) are not pleasing they have no time for the word of God because busy minister at tables.  They need another seven men to do the job.

Then, something caught my sight in the subsequent verses Acts 6:5 and the word widows.

Why widows?

If the twelve can left the word of God because of minister at tables, how about the seven?

How the seven can be pleasing if the twelve can't?

Why only seven men?

So I read these again.

At first, I thought the widows refer to those without husband or those call themselves free thinkers.  And I was wrong.  Always check the meaning in the Bible.  I also wrong about Acts 6:2-4 too.  If not because I'm writing about Acts 6:5, chewed these verses over and over, I could have missed the Truth in these.

Widows here refer to deficiency, a gaping opening

Acts 6:1-6

There come a time the disciples multiplying, their widows (gap opening, deficiency) were being overlooked in the daily ministration, the word of God is not with them when they minister at tables.  This caused a murmuring of the Hellenists at the Hebrews.

📌 The twelve are not equip to do minister at the tables; It is not pleasing, not lifted up because they having left the word of God (not live out the word of God) when they minister at the tables.

Just knowing the twelve (as their name imply) are not enough, they need seven men of the disciples who are well testified of, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom they may set over this necessity.

📌 look out (1. look out for someone  2.  look out / watch ourselves) brethren, that our seven men (seven to be seen) within us are well testified of the twelve about Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.

Acts 6:4: "4 and we to prayer, and to the ministration of the word, will give ourselves continually.`"

📌 They to prayer, and to the ministration of the word, to feed themselves continually to close their gap, to live out the word of God as a blessing.


Acts 6:5 And the thing was pleasing before all the multitude, and they did choose Stephen (crowned), a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,

Stephen is a name given to man crowned with the seven men (seven to be seen/well testified - the transform appearances from prayer, from ministration of the word):

1. a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit
2. Philip = friend, fond of horses (Love)
3. Prochorus = leader of the chorus, dancing (Joy, bring Joy)
4. Nicanor = conqueror ( testify)
5. Timon =  honourable, the price (worked by God)
6. Parmenas = stay near, abiding (remain, in God)
7. Nicolas = victor of the people, justice of the people; a newcomer/a stranger of driven against draw near to

The twelve can be full of Holy Spirit and wisdom, and they know Jesus, but did not testified Jesus with their life.

📌 Live a transformed life testify Jesus.

Acts 6:6 whom they did set before the apostles, and they, having prayed, laid on them [their] hands."

📌 Who are set to minister the tables is important.  Do pray and lay hands on them as a Church.

Acts 6:1-7, we see the difference from the twelve baskets collected and the seven baskets collected.

📌 The type of baskets used for the twelve and the seven are different, the seven baskets are for sowing

The mentioned of seven loaves and a few fishes after the five loaves two fishes are there in the Bible for a reason.


Abba Father,

Thank You for showing me these days I didn't persuade the full understanding of the Bible in the past.  This is why it took me longer to write a post just like this one 😅.  I believe this is one of the reason You wanted me to write a blog for the Word.  You know me too well 😂.  Thank You for giving me pushes and forgive me of my disobedience.  I submit all my cares into Your hands believing all my needs are taking care off in Jesus Name Amen!




John 3:16: for God did so love the world, that His Son -- the only begotten -- He gave, that every one who is believing in him may not perish, but may have life age-during."

It costs the Father, His only Begotten Son, to send you this invitation to be His beloved child, that you be part of His Family, call Him 'Father'.

If you accept this Invitation from God the Father to receive this New Life given by His Son - Jesus, 
Click Here The Invitation