How are the neglected widows addressed, and how is Stephen brought to council?

As the disciples increase, Greeks murmur against Hebrews because their widows are neglected in daily ministration. The printed annotation explains Greeks as Jews born and brought up in Greece. The twelve gather the multitude of disciples and say it is not reason to leave God’s word and serve tables. They ask them to choose seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom they may appoint over the business. They will devote themselves continually to prayer and the word’s ministry.

The saying pleases the whole multitude. They choose Stephen, full of faith and the Holy Ghost, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch. They present them to the apostles, who pray and impose hands. The word of the Lord increases and disciples multiply exceedingly in Jerusalem; a great multitude of priests obey the faith. The editorial heading describes the seven’s ordination as deacons.

Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, performs great wonders and signs. Some of the synagogue of Libertines, Cyrenians, Alexandrians and those from Cilicia and Asia dispute with him but cannot resist the wisdom and spirit speaking. They suborn men to allege blasphemy against Moses and God, stir up people, ancients and scribes, take him and bring him to council. False witnesses accuse him of continually speaking against the holy place and law and allege that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change Moses’s delivered traditions. These are accusations by false witnesses, not established statements of Stephen. All sitting in the council look at him and see his face as if an angel’s.