Acts 6:8-8:3

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 6:8

And Stephen, full of faith and power ,.... The historian proceeds to give a narrative of Stephen particularly, the first of the seven deacons; of his faith and miracles, of his elocution and wisdom, of his courage and intrepidity, of his constancy, and of his suffering martyrdom. He is said to be full of faith, as before, Acts 6:5 the Alexandrian copy, and four of Beza's copies read, "full of grace"; and so do the Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions; the Ethiopic version reads, "full of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 6:8

Stephen, full of faith and power - Instead of πιϚεως , faith, χαριτος , grace, is the reading of ABD, several others, the Syriac of Erpen, the Coptic, Armenian, Vulgate, and some of the fathers. This reading Griesbach has admitted into the text. Some MSS. join both readings. Stephen was full of faith - gave unlimited credence to the promises of his Lord; he was full of grace - receiving the fulfillment of those promises, he enjoyed much of the unction of the Divine Spirit, and much of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 6:8

Verse 8 8.And Stephen Luke reciteth in this place a new combat of the Church, whereby it appeareth that the glory of the gospel was always joined with the cross and divers troubles. And this is the sum, that the Church was assaulted in the person of one man. Whereby it came to pass that the enemies were the more bold, and being imbrued with innocent blood, did rage sorer than they had wont; for they had not gone as yet beyond the prison and rods. But to the end we may know that the name of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 6:1-8

Wise counsels. The prosperity of the Church was great. The first hypocrisy had been plucked up by the roots and burnt, so to speak in the presence of the whole congregation. A holy awe had mingled with faith and love to give intense reality to the religion of the disciples. The Spirit of God had borne active witness to the word of the apostles by signs and wonders; and the healing of many sick had conciliated multitudes and attached them to the Church. The apostles had been strengthened... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 6:5-8

Stephen, the proto-martyr. Very little is known of his history. And, except for the sake of introducing Saul of Tarsus, and indicating the influence that Stephen's teachings and martyrdom exerted upon him, it is difficult for us to trace why the brief record of his work and death are preserved for us by St. Luke. We judge that he was a Hellenist, by his name; but it is not known from what country he came. He is represented by Epiphanius as one of the seventy disciples chosen by Christ.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 6:8

Grace for faith, A.V. and T.R.; wrought for did, A.V.; signs for miracle, A.V. Power ( Acts 1:8 , note); power to work miracles especially, but also other spiritual power beyond his own natural strength (see Acts 6:10 ). This power showed itself in the signs and wonders which he wrought. 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

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