Acts 6:14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 6:8-15

Stephen, no doubt was diligent and faithful in the discharge of his office as distributor of the church's charity, and laid out himself to put that affair in a good method, which he did to universal satisfaction; and though it appears here that he was a man of uncommon gifts, and fitted for a higher station, yet, being called to that office, he did not think it below him to do the duty of it. And, being faithful in a little, he was entrusted with more; and, though we do not find him... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 6:8-15

6:8-15 Stephen, full of grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. There arose in debate with Stephen certain members of the synagogue of the Libertines and of the Cyrenians and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia; and they could find no answer to his wisdom and to the Spirit with whose help he spoke. So they formed a plot to introduce certain men who alleged, "We heard this man speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God." So they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 6:14

For we have heard him say ,.... The Ethiopic version adds, "besides"; but rather these words are a reason, giving evidence to, and supporting the general charge: that this Jesus of Nazareth ; Stephen spoke of, and whom they so called by way of contempt: shall destroy this place ; meaning the temple, as the Ethiopic version renders it; and is the same charge, the false witnesses at Christ's examination brought against him: and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us ;... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 6:14

Verse 14 14.We have heard It shall full well appear by Stephen’s defense, that he never spake anything touching Moses or the temple without reverence; and yet, notwithstanding, this was not laid to his charge for nothing, for he had taught the abrogating of the law. But they are false witnesses in this, and suborned to lie, because they corrupt purposely those things which were well and godly spoken. So Christ was enforced to clear himself, that he came, not to destroy the law, but to fulfill... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 6:8-15

The service of the lip and the glory of the countenance. The wise step of appointing seven deacons "to serve tables," and thus to liberate the apostles for prayer and preaching, like other good causes, had results which reached beyond the first object of it. It led to the formation of a most useful body of men, who have served Christ and his Church in other things beside mere "tables 'or temporalities. It brought out Stephen; and who shall say how much that had to do with the conversion of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 6:8-15

Stephen's work and witness. I. HIS SPIRIT DESCRIBED . "Full of grace and power. " We can feel rather than define the force of those words. Grace is first the favor of God felt in the man's soul, then manifested in his whole bearing, tone, conversation, and way of life. The effect is like the cause; the recipient of Divine favor makes a deeply favorable impression upon others. Power, again, is the Divine will making itself felt in the man as his will; and the effect is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 6:8-15

Stephen before the council. The conflict between the spirit of Judaism and the Spirit of Christ. Show the importance of this conflict in the early Church, lasting for more than a whole generation, lingering into the second century. But chiefly brought to an end through one (Saul of Tarsus), himself a trophy of the Spirit, exalted out of the very midst of the fiercest fire of Jewish bigotry. I. THE DIVINE WITNESS . Stephen. 1. Natural gifts; Jewish training; Hellenistic.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 6:9-15

Fanaticism. Fanaticism has one respectable feature, that it is sincere. The fanatic believes what he asserts to be true, and he is earnest and zealous in the maintenance and propagation of his belief. But when we have said thus much we have said all that can be said in his favor. In fanaticism there is a culpable neglect of the reason which God has given to man to be his guide. The fanatic shuts his eyes and closes his ears, and rushes on his way with no more reflection or discrimination... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 6:14

Unto us for us, A.V. We have heard him say , etc. These false witnesses, like those who distorted our Lord's words ( Matthew 26:61 ; John 2:19 ), doubtless based their accusation upon some semblance of truth. If Stephen had said anything like what Jesus said to the woman of Samaria ( John 4:21 ) or to his disciples ( Mark 13:2 ), or what the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews wrote (8. 13), or what St. Paul wrote to the Colossians ( Colossians 2:16 , Colossians 2:17 ), his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 6:14

Shall change - Shall abolish them, or shall introduce others in their place.The customs - The ceremonial rites and observances of sacrifices, festivals, etc., appointed by Moses. read more

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