Act 6:8-15 | JFB | STEP | 8. And Stephen, &c.—The foregoing narrative seems to be only an introduction to what follows. full of faith —rather, "of grace," as the best manuscripts read.

Acts 6:8-15

8. And Stephen, &c.—The foregoing narrative seems to be only an introduction to what follows.

full of faith—rather, "of grace," as the best manuscripts read.

9, 10. synagogue of the Libertines—Jewish freedmen; manumitted Roman captives, or the children of such, expelled from Rome (as appears from JOSEPHUS and TACITUS), and now residing at Jerusalem.

Cyrenians—Jews of Cyrene, in Libya, on the coast of Africa.

them of Cilicia—amongst whom may have been Saul of Tarsus (Ac 7:58; 21:39).

and of Asia—(See on Ac 16:6).

10. not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake—What he said, and the power with which he spake it, were alike resistless.

11-14. blasphemous words against Moses—doubtless referring to the impending disappearance of the whole Mosaic system.

and against God—This must refer to the supreme dignity and authority which he claimed for Christ, as the head of that new economy which was so speedily to supersede the old (compare Ac 7:56, 59, 60).

15. as . . . the face of an angel—a play of supernatural radiance attesting to all who beheld his countenance the divine calm of the spirit within.