Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Wherefore, brethren, look ye out - ye, the multitude: the election was to be strictly popular.

Among you - of your own number.

Seven man of honest report - literally, 'men testified to;' that is, bearing a good reputation (so Acts 10:22; and more explicitly 1 Timothy 3:7).

Full of the [Holy] Spirit - or 'full of the Spirit,' according to another reading; not full of miraculous gifts (which, for the duties required, would have been no qualification) but men spiritually gifted; although on two of the men chosen on this occasion miraculous power did rest. [We have bracketed the word "Holy," as of doubtful authority. Tischendorf rejects it, but Lachmann does better in simply bracketing it, as the evidence for and against hagiou (G40) - both external and internal-is nearly equal.]

And wisdom - here meaning 'discretion,' aptitude for practical affairs.

Whom we (the apostles) may appoint over this business, [ chreias (G5532)] - or 'duty.' Thus we see that while the election was vested in the Christian people, the appointment lay with the apostles, as spiritual rulers.

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