And (1) in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the (a) Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the (b) daily ministration. (1) When Satan has assailed the Church on the outside, and with little result and in vain, he a... [ Continue Reading ]
(2) Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples [unto them], and said, It is not (c) reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve (d) tables. (2) The office of preaching the word, and dispensing the goods of the Church, are different from one another, and not rashly to be joined... [ Continue Reading ]
(3) Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. (3) In choosing deacons (and much more in choosing ministers) there must be an examination of both their learning and their manners of life.... [ Continue Reading ]
(4) Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they (e) laid [their] hands on them. (4) The ancient Church, with the laying on of hands, as it were consecrated to the Lord those who were lawfully elected. (e) This ceremony of the laying on of hands came from the Jews, who used th... [ Continue Reading ]
(5) And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the (f) faith. (5) A happy result of temptation. (f) This is the figure of speech metonymy, meaning by "faith" the doctrine of the Gospel which br... [ Continue Reading ]
(6) And Stephen, full of faith and (g) power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. (6) God trains his Church first with evil words and slanders, then with imprisonments, afterwards with scourgings, and by these means prepares it in such a way that at length he causes it to meet in comba... [ Continue Reading ]
(7) Then there arose certain of the (h) synagogue, which is called [the synagogue] of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. (7) Schools and universities in ancient times were addicted to false pastors, and were the instruments o... [ Continue Reading ]
(8) And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. (8) False teachers, because they will not be overcome, flee from disputations and resort to manifest and open slandering and false accusations.... [ Continue Reading ]
(9) And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon [him], and caught him, and brought [him] to the council, (9) The first bloody persecution of the Church of Christ, began and sprang from a council of priests, by the suggestion of the university teachers.... [ Continue Reading ]
(10) And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: (10) An example of frivolous objectors or false accusers, who gather false conclusions from things that are well uttered and spoken.... [ Continue Reading ]
And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, (i) saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. (i) By this it appears that Steven had an excellent and wholesome countenance, having a quiet and settled mind, a good conscience, and certain conviction that his cause was just: for se... [ Continue Reading ]