Nicolas is a name found in the King James Bible, appearing 1 time in the text.
Who This Was
Nicolas was one of the seven men chosen by the apostles to serve as deacons in the early church, as recorded in Acts 6. The setting was a time of rapid growth in the Jerusalem church, when a dispute arose between the Hellenistic Jews and the Hebraic Jews because the Hellenistic widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. The twelve apostles recognized that they could not both preach the word of God and wait on tables, so they instructed the multitude to select seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom they could appoint over this business.
The saying pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas. Nicolas is specifically identified as a proselyte of Antioch—that is, a Gentile convert to Judaism who had come to faith in Christ. This detail is significant, for it shows that the early church’s leadership included not only native Jews but also converts from among the nations. Alongside Stephen, who is described as a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, Nicolas was set before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on the seven.
Scripture records nothing further about Nicolas: no words, no deeds, and no later mention. His inclusion in this list is the whole of his biblical witness. What is said of him is that he was chosen, that he was a proselyte of Antioch, and that he was among those set apart for the daily ministry of serving tables in the church at Jerusalem.
The Name
The name Nicolas comes from the Greek *Nikolaos*, a compound of *nike*, meaning “victory,” and *laos*, meaning “people.” Thus the name is commonly understood to mean “victory of the people” or “conqueror of the people.” This meaning is well established from the Greek roots, and the same elements appear in other Greek names. It should be noted, however, that the New Testament gives no interpretation of the name and attaches no significance to it; the meaning is a matter of the Greek language rather than of biblical commentary.
A Closing Thought
Nicolas appears only once, in a list of names, and never speaks or acts in the sacred record. Yet he was chosen, prayed over, and entrusted with the humble work of serving tables so that the apostles could give themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. Most faithful service is like this—unrecorded by history, unseen by many, but known to God. If your labor for Christ seems hidden and small, take heart: heaven keeps a truer record than any chronicle, and the Lord does not forget those who serve His people quietly.
At a Glance
- Gender: Male
- Testament: New
- Mentions in the KJV: 1
Where It Appears in Scripture
- Acts 6:5 — And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: