So then is an important transitional device to indicate the logical conclusion to the immediately preceding sentence. For the word brothers, see 1.16.

Men … who are known to be appears in some other translations as “men of good reputation” (New English Bible, Phillips; see Revised Standard Version); and so are described as having three qualifications (a good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit, and full of wisdom) rather than two (known to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom). Most translations assume that the reference is to the Holy Spirit, even though the word “holy” is not in the Greek text; however, Phillips thinks “full of the Spirit” means they were “spiritually minded.”

In a number of languages one cannot speak of full of the Holy Spirit. Rather, one must use a term such as “whom the Holy Spirit commands,” “whom the Holy Spirit directs,” or even “whom the Holy Spirit possesses.”

Similarly, it may be impossible to use a phrase such as full of … wisdom. One, however, can “be very wise” or “know things very well.”

Put them in charge of this matter may be rendered as “give them this work to do” or “cause them to do this work.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .