The twelve apostles (a term which occurs only here in the book of Acts) should probably be taken as a title rather than simply as a number; and the whole group of disciples means the whole church body.

It is doubtful that the apostles’ statement it is not right for us to neglect the preaching of God’s word in order to handle finances is intended to convey the idea that this ministry was distasteful to the apostles. Rather, it is to suggest that their particular ministry was that of preaching God’s word. To neglect the preaching of God’s word is literally “to neglect the word of God,” but in this context the evident meaning is that of preaching the word of God (see Phillips and An American Translation*).

To handle finances (see Phillips “to look after the accounts”; An American Translation* “to keep accounts”) may be taken either as the Good News Translation has it or else in the sense of “to serve tables.” However, one finds it difficult to believe that the responsible task referred to was that of waiting on tables, so that even if the latter alternative is followed, it should be broadened to mean something like “to see that the widows’ needs are properly cared for.”

The phrase God’s word is obviously “the message that comes from God.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .