Acts 6:7

Increased. Rather, “kept increasing,” indicating gradual but continuous growth.

The statement implies more than the numerical increase mentioned in the next clause. It was the word of God that increased. The “word of God” here refers to the teachings of Christ as set forth by the apostles. Subsequent verses show that the seven were active in the work of teaching. The work of the deacons, and especially Stephen, marks a definite expansion and development of the Christian proclamation (see ch. 6:8; 8:5).

Number of the disciples. The growth of the church had been extraordinary: “These were added ... about three thousand souls” (ch. 2:41); “the Lord added to the church daily” (v. 47); “many of them ... believed; ... about five thousand” (ch. 4:4); “believers were the more added” (ch. 5:14). Now the number of church members is “multiplied in Jerusalem greatly.”

Company of the priests. The fact here stated is significant. As far as is known, none of Christ’s immediate followers was a priest, and no priest is named among the early converts. One would have expected that some of the plain speaking of the apostles and deacons would have aroused the bitter enmity of all the priests. And doubtless many of them did become hostile. But under the power of the Holy Spirit, such preaching drew “a great company” of them to Christ.

Obedient. Rather, “kept being obedient,” suggesting a continual flow of priestly converts. For the obedience necessary see on ch. 5:32.

Faith. Opinion is divided about the correct interpretation of the phrase “obedient to the faith.” The objective view holds that “faith” refers to the body of Christian doctrine to which the priests gave their assent and by which they ordered their lives (cf. Acts 13:8; 14:22; 16:5; Gal. 1:23). Many commentators, however, believe that “faith” is here used in its subjective sense, and that Luke is speaking of the priests displaying “faith in Jesus Christ.” This harmonizes with general NT usage (cf. Acts 24:24; Rom. 1:5; 16:26; Gal. 3:2). Such faith embraces Christian doctrine, for it is such doctrine that enables men to display an intelligent faith in Jesus. Compare on Rom. 1:5.