Later text
Acts 6:3BSB
Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint this responsibility to them
Intertextuality Pair
Acts 6:3 → Exodus 18:17-23
Echo
Earlier text
But Moses' father-in-law said to him, "What you are doing is not good. Surely you and these people with you will wear yourselves out, because the task is too heavy for you. You cannot handle it alone. Now listen to me; I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their causes to Him. Teach them the statutes and laws, and show them the way to live and the work they must do. Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. Have these men judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you any major issue, but all minor cases they can judge on their own, so that your load may be lightened as they share it with you. If you follow this advice and God so directs you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people can go home in peace."
+ 2 more earlier texts
Earlier text
Exodus 18:21BSB
Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
Earlier text
Exodus 31:3BSB
And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship,
Significance
To resolve the neglect of the Hellenist widows, the apostles direct the church to "pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom." The pattern follows Exodus 18:17-23, where Moses, on Jethro's counsel, set "able men... who fear God" over the people so that he could devote himself to what only he could do — and it recalls the Spirit-and-wisdom endowment given for sacred service (Exod 18:21; 31:3). Ordered delegation frees the leaders of God's people for their proper calling. Christ-terminus: the apostles reserve themselves for "prayer and the ministry of the word" (v4) — the means by which the risen Christ builds His church — and it is Christ's own Spirit, not mere administrative skill, who fills the servants chosen. The wise ordering of the church exists to keep the word of Christ central and unhindered.
- Found via
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
- Reference Type
- Echo
- Connection Method(s)
- Analogy