Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 6]
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6:1 {When the number of the disciples was multiplying}
(\pl•thunont•n t•n math•t•n\). Genitive absolute of \pl•thun•\,
old verb from \pl•thos\, fulness, to increase. The new freedom
from the intercession of Gamaliel was bearing rich fruit. {A
murmuring of the Grecian Jews} (\goggusmos t•n Hell•nist•n\).
Late onomatopoetic word (LXX) from the late verb \gogguz•\, to
mutter, to murmur. The substantive occurs also in Joh 7:12; Php
2:14; 1Pe 4:9. It is the secret grumblings that buzz away till
they are heard. These "Grecian Jews" or Hellenists are members of
the church in Jerusalem who are Jews from outside of Palestine
like Barnabas from Cyprus. These Hellenists had points of contact
with the Gentile world without having gone over to the habits of
the Gentiles, the Jews of the Western Dispersion. They spoke
Greek. {Against the Hebrews} (\pros tous Ebraious\). The Jewish
Christians from Jerusalem and Palestine. The Aramaean Jews of the
Eastern Dispersion are usually classed with the Hebrew (speaking
Aramaic) as distinct from the Grecian Jews or Hellenists. {Were
neglected} (\parethe•rounto\). Imperfect passive of
\parathe•re•\, old verb, to examine things placed beside (\para\)
each other, to look beyond (\para\ also), to overlook, to
neglect. Here only in the N.T. These widows may receive daily
(\kath•merin•i\, late adjective from \kath' h•meran\, only here
in the N.T.) help from the common fund provided for all who need
it (Ac 4:32-37). The temple funds for widows were probably not
available for those who have now become Christians. Though they
were all Christians here concerned, yet the same line of cleavage
existed as among the other Jews (Hebrew or Aramaean Jews and
Hellenists). It is not here said that the murmuring arose among
the widows, but because of them. Women and money occasion the
first serious disturbance in the church life. There was evident
sensitiveness that called for wisdom.
6:2 {The multitude} (\to pl•thos\). The whole church, not just
the 120. {Fit} (\areston\). Pleasing, verbal adjective from
\aresk•\, to please, old word, but in the N.T. only here and Ac
12:3; Joh 8:29; 1Jo 3:22. _Non placet_. {Should forsake}
(\kataleipsantas\). Late first aorist active participle for usual
second aorist \katalipontas\ from \kataleip•\, to leave behind.
http://www.ccel.org/r/robertson_at/wordpictures/htm/AC6.RWP.html (1 of 6) [28/08/2004 09:06:30 a.m.]
Word Pictures in the New Testament
(Acts: Chapter 6)