The physician Luke wrote how the apostles were put in prison for teaching and preaching, and after an angel freed them, they were teaching and preaching again when the high priest confronted them and asked, “Did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name?” He told them they had “filled all Jerusalem” with their “doctrine”, and after “Peter and the other apostles” told them, “we ought to obey God rather than men”, the religious leaders were “cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them”. It was at that time, “a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space. And said unto them, … Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought. But if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it; lest haply you be found even to fight against God. And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ”, and in chapter six and verse one of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “there arose a murmuring of the Grecians … because their widows were neglected” where we read:
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
The verse begins, “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, ...” Luke began with the words, “and in those days” which means “and during the sunrises and sunsets”, “when the number of the disciples was multiplied” or “at the time and moment the students, pupils and attendants of Jesus abounded and increased” “there arose a murmuring” which means “there arose and appeared a secret displeasure not openly avowed” “of the Grecians” or “from the people belonging to the Hellenists or ones who imitate the manners and customs or the worship of the Greeks” “against the Hebrews” which means “in opposition, towards and with regard to the the Jewish or Israelite nation”. Luke shared how a “secret displeasure” “arose” between the “Hellenistic Christians” and the “Hebrew” Christians.
The verse goes on to say, “... because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.” Luke continued with the words, “because their widows” which means “since and on account that the Hellenist's women who were married and lost their husbands through death” “were neglected” or “were overlooked and disregarded” “in the daily ministration” which means “in the day by day service of executed commands of others”. Luke shared how the “murmuring” of the “Grecian” people was because their “widows” were being “disregarded” in the “service” which was offered “daily”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “disciples of Jesus” were “multiplying”, however, there was another problem in the early church. Since the gospel was first presented to the Jewish people, when “Hellenist” or “Grecians” received Jesus as their “Lord and Savior”, they also became a part of the church. Their “widows” were not receiving the same attention as the “Hebrews”, and this caused a “silent displeasure” within the “Grecians”. The church was facing another “trial”, and we shall see how the apostles handle the situation in our next few verses. For now let us understand that believing and trusting in Jesus does not exempt a person from troubles and difficulties, however Jesus promised to be with those who surrender their lives to Him even if they feel neglected or disregarded.
Next time Luke shares how the disciples say, “It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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