Acts 6:3

Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you The word whereforeshould according to the best MSS. be but, and the end of the sentence should be "from among you."

seven men of honest report Lit. attested, i.e. well reported of (as 1 Timothy 5:10). It is rendered "of good report" below (Acts 10:22).

The number sevenwas no doubt fixed on because that was the number of persons chosen to manage public business in Jewish towns. See Mishna Megillahiii. 1, "The men of the city who dispose of city marketplaces may buy with the price thereof a synagogue, or if they sell a synagogue, they may buy an ark (to keep the Law in), or if they sell an ark, they may buy wrappers (the ornamental and costly covers in which the Law was rolled) for the Law, and if they sell these wrappers they may buy books (i.e. the Prophets and the Hagiographa), and if they sell books they may buy a copy of the Torah, but if they have sold a Torah they may not buy books," and so on in the contrary order.

On this ordinance it is said, T. B. Megillah26 a, "Raba says, This is only applicable when the seven good men of the citysell anything in the presence of the men of the city."

full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom The best MSS. omit holy. Read, "full of the Spirit, &c." They were to be approved both by God and man. Men could judge of their wisdom, and God had in these days shed forth the Spirit on many.

whom we may appoint over this business While leaving to the assembled brethren the selection of the men, the Apostles keep some control still with themselves. They certainly would judge best concerning the spiritual fitness of the chosen seven.