Support of Widows
Channel: South Austin church of Christ
Date: 2021-10-04

Support of Widows
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We know they supported qualified widows.
1 Timothy 5:3, 9–10, 16
Honor widows who are truly widows.
Let a widow be enrolled if....
If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.

This is the only NT use of καταλέγω.
καταλέγω (B)
1. recount, tell at length and in order
2. reckon up, tell in full tale
  b. reckon, count as
  c. conclude by enumeration
3. enumerate, draw up a list, hence, enroll, enlist
4. select
This word elicits the work of supporting someone in need.  It takes reckoning, detailed attention, a full accounting.
Contrast Acts 6:1 παραθεωρέω.


The Daily Distribution
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Acts 6:1-6
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

"Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number"
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Acts 2:41
So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Acts 4:4
Many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
Acts 5:12, 14
...And they were all together in Solomon's Portico.
And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,
Acts 6:7
And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

"overlooked"
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παραθεωρέω
I. examine a thing beside another, compare
II. take slight notice of, overlook
Contrast 1 Timothy 5:9 καταλέγω.

"complaint"
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γογγυσμός
murmuring, muttering, grumbling
of doves, coo

John 7:12-13
And there was much muttering [γογγυσμός] about him among the people. While some said, "He is a good man," others said, "No, he is leading the people astray." Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.

Philippians 2:14-16
Do all things without grumbling [γογγυσμός] or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

1 Peter 4:8-11
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling [γογγυσμός]. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.



Acts 6 introduces an important concept: διακονία
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Acts 6:1, 2, 4
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution [διακονία].
And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables [διακονέω]...."
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry [διακονία] of the word.

Immediately there are two kinds of διακονία, literal and spiritual.

see also Deacons:
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1 Timothy 3:8-13
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.