Acts 6:1

Widows Among the Hellenists Neglected

Earlier, Luke told Theophilus that various ones sold some of their possessions and laid the money at the feet of the apostles. He further reported that the money was distributed among the brethren according to need. Now, Luke reports that a complaint arose among the Hellenists, who likely were converts from among the Jews who had been scattered throughout the world and now spoke Greek and followed the customs of those using the same language. They felt their widows were not being cared for as well as the widows of the Hebrews, or those who spoke Aramaic, in the daily distribution, or serving of tables. Whether the charge resulted through an accidental or intentional oversight is not known. However, the perceived problem obviously threatened the peace and unity of the young church (Acts 6:1).