Acts 6:2

οἱ δώδεκα, the Twelve. They had found that there was cause for the complaint, and at once set about providing a remedy.

τὸ πλῆθος τῶν μαθητῶν. We are not from this to suppose that an attempt was made to gather every one who in Jerusalem called himself a Christian, but that a large and special meeting was convened, before which the Apostles laid their plan. The funds had been given by various persons, and were for the common relief; it was therefore fit that a change in the distributors should be considered in common.

οὐκ�. Render, it is not pleasing (or fit). ‘Non est æquum,’ Vulg. The duties were not properly distributed. Those were now engrossed in business duties who alone could be the true exponents of Christ’s life and teaching.

καταλείψαντας κ.τ.λ., that we should forsake the Word of God. The verb is a strong one, and implies that the whole time of the Twelve was being consumed by these cares for the temporal wants of the brethren.

διακονεῖν τραπέζαις, to serve tables, means to preside at the bench or counter where the money was distributed. Cf. the τράπεζαι of the money-changers (Matthew 21:12), who are themselves called τραπεζίται (Matthew 25:27).

διακονεῖν is to discharge the διακονία mentioned in Acts 6:1.