Paragraph 6:5–6
6:5a
This proposal pleased the whole group: In some languages it is more natural for the people to be pleased about spoken words. For example:
The whole group was pleased with this proposal
proposal: This word refers to the believers choosing seven men and the apostles appointing them (6:3–4). Here are some other ways to translate this word:
what they said (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
These words
-or-
This talk/message
the whole group: This phrase refers to all the believers who had gathered (6:2). Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
the whole gathering (English Standard Version)
-or-
the whole assembly (New Jerusalem Bible)
6:5b
Stephen: The ‘ph’ in this name made something like the ‘f’ sound.
a man full of faith: This phrase indicates that Stephen had much faith. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
a man filled with faith (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
a man with great faith (New Century Version)
faith: This refers to believing the gospel about Jesus. See how you translated this word in 3:16.
of the Holy Spirit: The word of connects to “full” in the previous phrase. Stephen listened well to what the Holy Spirit said and the Holy Spirit enabled him to do many things. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
filled with the Holy Spirit
-or-
the Holy Spirit filled him
Holy Spirit: This phrase refers to the Spirit of God. See how you translated this phrase in 1:2 or 5:32.
6:5c
as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas: The Berean Standard Bible uses the phrase as well as after the word “Spirit” in 6:5b to help indicate that the description of Stephen has ended.
6:5d
a convert to Judaism: This phrase refers to a non-Jewish person who has become a Jew by doing the religious rites necessary to declare that he or she follows the Jewish religion. This person has stopped following his or her old religion. See how you translated a similar phrase in 2:11 (“converts to Judaism”).
This phrase implies that Nicolas first converted to Judaism then later became a believer in Jesus.
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