Acts 6:15

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 6:15

And all that sat in the council ,.... The whole sanhedrim, looking steadfastly on him ; to observe whether his countenance altered, his tongue stammered, or he trembled in any part of his body, neither of which appeared; but on the contrary, they saw his face, as if it had been the face of an angel . The Ethiopic version adds, "of God"; there was such a calmness and serenity in it, which showed his innocence and unconsciousness of guilt; and such a beauty and glory upon it, that he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 6:15

Saw his face, as it had been the face of an angel - Sayings like this are frequent among the Jewish writers, who represent God as distinguishing eminent men by causing a glory to shine from their faces. Rabbi Gedalia said that, "when Moses and Aaron came before Pharaoh, they appeared like those angels which minister before the face of the Lord; for their stature appeared greater, and the splendor of their faces was like the sun, and their eyes like the wheels of the sun; their beard like... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 6:15

Verse 15 15.And when they had beheld. Men do commonly in places of judgment turn their eyes toward the party arraigned, when as they look for his defense. He saith that Stephen appeared like to an angel; this is not spoken of his natural face, but rather of his present countenance. For whereas the countenance of those which are arraigned useth commonly to be pale, whereas they stammer in their speech, and show other signs of fear, Luke teacheth that there was no such thing in Stephen, but that... 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 6:15

Fastening their eyes for looking steadfastly, A.V. (see above, Acts 3:4 ). The council would naturally all look at him, in expectation of his answer to the evidence just delivered against him. In his face, illuminated with a Divine radiance, they had an answer which they would have done well to listen to (for the brightness of an angel's face, comp. Matthew 28:3 ; Daniel 10:6 ; Revelation 10:1 , etc.). read more

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