And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Ver. 1. _Of the Grecians_] Ελληνισται, _Graecists; _ such (say some) as were by birth and religion Hebrews,... [ Continue Reading ]
Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples _unto them_, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Ver. 2. _It is not reason_] αρεστον, an arrest or order, saith Erasmus; a plea, judgment, or sentence, saith Budaeus. _ Serve tables_] And do other... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 3. _Full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom_] _i.e._ Civil wisdom to manage the public stock, and to put all to the best for the relief of the necessitous... [ Continue Reading ]
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. Ver. 4. _To prayer, and to the ministry_] Between these two they divided their time. An argument of their integrity in the ministry. If we were to preach only, saith the apostle, we could then wait upon tables; but t... [ Continue Reading ]
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Ver. 5. _Prochorus, Nicanor, and Timon_] _Hi tres celebrantur seduli in lectitandis sac... [ Continue Reading ]
Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid _their_ hands on them. Ver. 6. _They laid their hands_] So putting the blessing upon them. A very ancient rite, borrowed from the Church of the Old Testament.... [ Continue Reading ]
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 faith. Ver. 7. _A great company of the priests_] Despair not therefore of the worst; God hath his time to call them. Wycliffe was a great enemy to... [ Continue Reading ]
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Ver. 8. _And Stephen, full of faith_] He "using the office of a deacon well, did purchase to himself a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus," 1 Timothy 3:13. A diligent man stays... [ Continue Reading ]
Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called _the synagogue_ of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. Ver. 9. _Certain of the synagogue_] There were colleges at Jerusalem, as now at our Universities, whither foreig... [ Continue Reading ]
And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. Ver. 10. _By which he spake_] "Because he convinced them with great boldness, neither could they withstand the truth." These words are found in one very ancient copy, as Beza witnesseth.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and _against_ God. Ver. 11. _Then they suborned_] This they had learned of that old manslayer,John 8:44 .... [ Continue Reading ]
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, Ver. 12. _Caught him, and brought him_] _Sic vi geritur res, _ the adversaries' best arguments. In the conclusion of the disputation at Oxford with Cranmer, Ridley... [ Continue Reading ]
And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: Ver. 13. _Blasphemous words_] So was Athanasius accused.... [ Continue Reading ]
For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. Ver. 14. _Shall destroy this place_] _sc._ Unless they repent. _ And shall change the rites_] But shall change them for the better. This they cunningly concealed,... [ Continue Reading ]
And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. Ver. 15. _As it had been the face of an angel_] Such was the purity of his conscience, the goodness of his cause, and the greatness of his courage. There is a history of a Dutch martyr, who... [ Continue Reading ]