Translation commentary on Acts 6:3

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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 6:3

6:3a

brothers: Here this word refers to fellow believers, both men and women. All believers belong to God’s family, so the family terms of “brother” and “sister” are often used for fellow believers. See how you translated this word in 1:16.

6:3b

confirmed to be: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word here:

(1) It means that people spoke well of these seven men. For example:

of good reputation (New Jerusalem Bible)

(Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition)

(2) It means that people knew that these seven men behaved a certain way. For example:

whom the people know are (God’s Word)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, God’s Word)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the BDAG (sense 2.b) supports it.

full of the Spirit: The word Spirit here refers to the Holy Spirit. The phrase indicates that these men listened well to the Holy Spirit and did what he told them. Here are some other ways to translate this:

full of the Holy Spirit (Good News Translation)
-or-
joined by the Holy Spirit
-or-
whom God’s Spirit enables well

and wisdom: The word wisdom is also connected to “full of.” The word wisdom means “the ability to understand events and know the right action.” Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

and wise words and actions
-or-
and ⌊full of⌋ right and just thinking

6:3c

We will appoint this responsibility to them: The Greek is more literally “whom we will appoint over this work/need.” The apostles would give the work of helping the poor widows to these seven men. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

whom we may appoint to this duty (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
and we will put them in charge of this matter (Good News Translation)
-or-
and we will give this work/ministry to them

responsibility: The Greek word refers to work or ministry that helps with people’s needs. The believing Grecian widows needed more food, so these men would help them with that need, probably every day. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

ministry to their needs
-or-
work of helping those in need

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