Sam's Biblical Insight, Exploring the Word, Faith, Theology, Doctrine, and Christian Life in the Spirit

Text (ESV):

Acts 6:3 – “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.”

Introduction

In Acts 6:3, the apostles faced a real and pressing problem. A complaint had arisen in the early church: the Hellenistic widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. This was not a small matter—it involved justice, unity, and care for the most vulnerable in the Christian community, which required the working of the Spirit’s power to perceive and wisely discern the situation.

The apostles instructed the church to select “seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (Acts 6:3, ESV). At first glance, we might wonder: If these men were already full of the Spirit, why did they also need wisdom? Couldn’t the Spirit provide everything?

What Does It Mean to Be “Full of the Spirit”?

The Greek phrase in Acts 6:3 is πλήρεις πνεύματος (plēreis pneumatos), literally, “full of spirit.” In the New Testament, πνεῦμα (pneuma) is used in more than one way:

The Holy Spirit (τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον) – This refers to the divine Person of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter whom Jesus promised. He indwells believers, empowers them to witness, and accomplishes God’s work through them (John 14:26; Acts 1:8).

holy spirit (πνεύματος ἁγίου) – Without the definite article, this phrase often refers to the Spirit’s power, gifts, or operations. For example:

In John 20:22, Jesus breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive holy spirit.”

In Acts 2:4 and 2:38, the disciples received holy spirit as empowerment and gifting for ministry.

In short, to be full of the Spirit is akin to the analogy of being “full of wine” (Ephesians 5:18). It describes a state of being under spiritual influence—sensitive and attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. However, this does not imply that every spiritual gift is present in every person. Being Spirit-filled is primarily about being empowered and guided, not automatically possessing every gift.

A pastoral note: Being “Spirit-filled” is not just about emotional zeal or visible manifestations; it is about living in attentiveness to God, allowing His Spirit to influence our thoughts, words, and actions in a loving way (1 Corinthians 13), for the building up of the church and the edification of fellow believers.

The Distinction Between Spirit and Spiritual Gifts

Paul clarifies this in 1 Corinthians 12, where he lists the variety of gifts the Spirit distributes: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and interpretation.

No single believer carries all the gifts. Each is distributed “as He wills” (1 Cor. 12:11). Spiritual gifts are like apps on a smartphone: each has its unique function. Being Spirit-filled does not mean having every gift; rather, it means being empowered for God’s purposes.

Therefore, a man could be full of (spirit of) faith and spiritual zeal, yet still need the gift of wisdom—so that he may serve the body of Christ effectively, not for self-assertion, but for the good of the ecclesia, building up its members to the glory of God.

Why Wisdom Was Also Required in Acts 6:3

The problem in Acts 6 was not primarily doctrinal but practical: how to distribute food fairly among widows. This task required more than spiritual fervor—it required wisdom, discernment, and sound judgment.

Wisdom ensures fairness — to avoid favoritism or neglect.

Wisdom preserves unity — to prevent divisions between groups.

Wisdom balances compassion with order — so that love is expressed in tangible, just ways.

Spirit-filled zeal without wisdom can lead to imbalance or even conflict. Wisdom without the Spirit can become dry human calculation. But Spirit and wisdom together create fruitful, Christ-honoring service.

The apostles modeled good leadership by combining a state of being full of spiritual influence with practical wisdom. They made sound decisions to achieve the best solution—a virtue of servanthood that remains essential for the church today.

Application for Today: Spirit and Wisdom Together

The principle of Acts 6:3 remains timeless.

In the church: Spirit-filled leaders are not only passionate but also wise in administration, teaching, and decision-making. Ministries thrive when both qualities are present.

In personal life: Being Spirit-filled does not excuse us from seeking wisdom in relationships, work, or family decisions. Spiritual gift(s) without wisdom can become impulsive, abusive, or divisive—as seen in the Corinthian church—while wisdom without the Spirit can become lifeless.

A Pastoral Note

James 1:5 reminds us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all.” We are also encouraged to seek the holy spirit (πνεῦμα ἅγιον) and His good gifts (δόματα ἀγαθὰ) (Luke 11:13). As followers of Christ, we are called to pursue both being full of the ‘spirit (holy)’ and wisdom in order to serve the Lord faithfully.

Conclusion

Acts 6:3 reminds us that being “full of the Spirit” does not mean we lack nothing or automatically possess every spiritual gift. The Holy Spirit empowers us with His presence—being full of the Spirit—but wisdom is a distinct and necessary spiritual gift.

The apostles wisely required both being full of the ‘spirit holy’ and possessing ‘wisdom’ for those serving in the early church. Today, we too are called to embody both. Indeed, Acts 6:7 records the state of the first church: “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.”

May we seek to be people who are not only Spirit-filled but also Spirit-led in wisdom—so that our service, whether in church, family, or community, reflects the character of Christ and builds up His body in love.

Sola Scriptura! Soli Deo Gloria!