and in an affair of this nature they might be best able to advise, who were more conversant in the affairs of this life than the apostles were.
(1.) The apostles urge, that they could by no means admit so great a diversion, as this would be, from their great work; (v. 2.) It is not reasonable that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Receiving and paying money was serving tables, too like the tables of the money-changers in the temple; this was foreign to the business which the apostles were called to, they were to preach the word of God; and though they had not such occasion to study for what they preached as we have, (it being given in that same hour what they should speak,) yet they thought that was work enough for a whole man, and to employ all their thoughts, and cares, and time, though one man of them was more than ten of us, than ten thousand. If they serve tables, they must, in some measure, leave the word of God; they could not attend their preaching work so closely as they ought. Pectora nostra duas non admittentia curas—These minds of ours admit not of two distinct anxious employments. Though this serving tables was for pious uses, and serving the charity of rich christians, and the necessity of poor christians, and in both serving Christ, yet the apostles would not take so much time from their preaching as this would require. They will no more be drawn from their preaching by the money laid at their feet, than they will be driven from it by the stripes laid on their backs. While the number of the disciples was few, the apostles might manage this matter without making it any considerable avocation from their main business; but now that their number was increased, they could not do it. It is not reason, οὐκ ἄρεστον ἐστι—it is not fit or commendable, that we should neglect the business of feeding souls with the bread of life, to attend the business pf relieving the bodies of the poor. Note, Preaching the gospel is the best work, and the most proper and needful that a minister can be employed in, and that which he must give himself wholly to, (1 Tim. 4. 15.) which that he may do, he must not entangle himself in the affairs of this life, (2 Tim. 2. 4.) no, not in the outward business of the house of God, Neh. 11. 16.
(2.) They therefore desire that seven men might be chosen, well qualified for the purpose, whose business it should be to serve tables, διακονεῖν τραπέζαις—to be deacons to the tables, v. 2. The business must be minded, must be better minded than it had been, and than the apostles could mind it; and therefore proper persons must be chosen, who, though they might be occasionally employed in the word, and prayer, were not so devoted entirely to it as the apostles were; and these must take care of the church's stock, must review, and pay, and keep accounts; must buy those things which they had need of against the feast, (John 13. 29.) and attend to all those things which are necessary, in ordine ad spiritualia—in order to spiritual exercises, that every thing might be done decently and in order, and no person or thing neglected. Now,
[1.] The persons must be duly qualified. The people are to choose, and the apostles to ordain; but the people have no authority to choose, nor the apostles to ordain men utterly unfit for the office; Look out seven men; so many they thought might suffice for the present, more might be added afterward if there were occasion; these must be, First, Of honest report, men free from scandal, that were looked upon by their neighbours as men of integrity and faithful men, well attested, as men that might be trusted; not under a blemish for any vice, but, on the contrary, well spoken of for every thing that is virtuous and praiseworthy; μαρτυρουμένους—men that can produce good testimonials concerning their conversation. Note, Those that are employed in any office in the church, ought to be men of honest report; of a blameless, nay, of a beautiful character, which is requisite not only to the credit of their office, but to the due discharge of it. Secondly, They must he full of the Holy Ghost, must be filled with those gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost, which were necessary to the right management of this trust; they must not only be honest men, but they must be men of parts and men of courage; such as were to be made judges in Israel, (Exod. 18. 21.) able men, fearing God; men of truth, and hating covetousness; and hereby appearing to be full of the Holy Ghost. Thirdly, They must be full of wisdom. It was not enough that they were honest, good men, but they must be discreet, judicious men, that could not be imposed upon, and would order things for the best, and with consideration: full of the Holy Ghost, and wisdom, that is, of the Holy Ghost as a Spirit of wisdom. We find the word of wisdom given by the Spirit, as distinct from the word of knowledge by the same Spirit, 1 Cor. 12. 8. They must be full of wisdom, who are entrusted with public money, that it may be disposed of, not only with fidelity, but with frugality.
[2.] The people must nominate the persons; "Look ye out among you seven men, consider among yourselves who are the fittest for such a trust, and whom you can with the most satisfaction confide in." They might be presumed to know better, or at least were fitter to inquire, what character men had, than the apostles; and therefore they are entrusted with the choice.
[3.] The apostles will ordain them to the service, will give them their charge, that they may know what they have to do, and make conscience of doing it; and give them their authority, that the persons concerned may know whom they are to apply to, and submit to, in affairs of that nature; men, whom we may appoint. In many editions of our English Bibles, there has been an error of the press here, for they have read it, whom ye may appoint; as if the power were in the people; whereas it was certainly in the apostles; whom we may appoint over this business; to take care of it, and to see that there be neither waste nor want.
(3.) The apostles engage to addict themselves wholly to their work as ministers, and the more closely, if they can but get fairly quit of this troublesome office; (v. 4.) We will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. See here, [1.] What are the two great gospel-ordinances—the word, and prayer; by these two communion between God and his people is kept up and maintained; by the word he speaks to them, and by prayer they speak to him; and these have a mutual reference to each other. By these two the kingdom of Christ must be advanced, and additions made to it; we must prophesy upon the dry bones, and then pray for a spirit of life from God to enter into them. By the word and prayer other ordinances are sanctified to us, and sacraments have their efficacy. [2.] What is the great business of gospel-ministers; to give themselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word; they must still be either fitting and furnishing themselves for those services, or employing themselves in them; either publicly or privately; in the stated times, or out of them. They must be God's mouth to the people in the ministry of the word, and the people's mouth to God in prayer. In order to the conviction and conversion of sinners, and the edification and consolation of saints, we must not only offer up our prayers for them, but we must minister the word to them, seconding our prayers with our endeavours, in the use of appointed means; nor must we only minister the word to them, but we must pray for them, that it
