ACC ~ Acts 6 v8 - 15

OVERVIEW:

Stephen is the first nonapostolic major witness in the book of Acts, and his witness (martyria) reaches its ultimate goal. Chrysostom points to the increase of power that came with the laying on of hands and to the glory that God bestowed upon Stephen. Bede’s use of philology is characteristic of his time, but he is sensitive to the fact that Luke is portraying Stephen as an example of the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy that he would help those under trial (Lk 21:15).

6:8 | Stephen, Full of Grace and Power

THE GIFT OF PREACHING ALONE NOT SUFFICIENT. CHRYSOSTOM: See how even among the seven there was one who was preeminent and who won the first prize. For although the ordination was common to all seven, he drew upon himself greater grace. And notice how he worked no [signs and wonders] before this, but only when he became publicly known. This was to show that the gift of preaching alone is not sufficient and that there is also need of the ordination. Thus was the assistance of the Spirit gained. For if they were full of the Spirit, clearly it came from the bath of baptism. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 15.

FULL OF GRACE AND COURAGE. BEDE: The Greek word Stephen means “crowned” in Latin. In a very beautiful way he anticipated by the portent in his name what he was about to experience in reality—“abjectly stoned but crowned on high.” In Hebrew, however, his name means “your norm.” Whose norm, if not that of the subsequent martyrs, for whom, by being the first to suffer, he became the model of dying for Christ? COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 6.8.

6:10 | The Wisdom and Spirit

TO MARTYRS ELOQUENCE IS GIVEN. BEDE: This is what the Lord himself tells his martyrs: “For I will give you eloquence and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or contradict.” It was fitting that in the first martyr he should confirm what he deigned to promise to all those handed over [to martyrdom] for the sake of his name. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 6.10.

6:11 | Secret Instigations

THE BATTLE WAS GOD’S. CHRYSOSTOM: What madness! The men who overcame them by works—they expected to overcome these by words! It is just what they did in the case of Christ. And as always they sought refuge in words, because they were ashamed to seize them with no charge against them. And see how those who brought them to trial do not themselves bear witness (for they would have been refuted) but hire others, so that it might not appear to be an act of pure insult and abuse. The same pattern is visible here as in the case of Christ. Look at the power of the preaching. They were not only flogged but also stoned, but it still prevailed. They were not laymen but were persecuted from all sides by enemies who bore witness against them. But not only were their enemies bettered; they did not even have the power to resist, despite their great shamelessness. Thus it obtained by force a conviction against them, even though they fabricated many unpersuasive arguments, for as the saying goes, “He who casts out devils has a touch of the devil.” For the battle was not man’s but God’s against men. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 15.

6:13 | False Witnesses

FALSE ACCUSATIONS RECTIFIED BY GOD. CHRYSOSTOM: Where people were not falsely accused, the Scripture mentions nothing of this sort. But in this case since it was false accusation, naturally it is rectified by God. He accomplishes this by the very look of the man. For the apostles were not falsely accused but were forbidden. But this man is falsely accused, and so above all his face pleads for him. This even put the priest to shame. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 15.

6:15 | Stephen’s Face Like That of an Angel

GLORY IN ONE OF LOW DEGREE. CHRYSOSTOM: “And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” Thus it is possible even for one who is on a lower level to shine. For what did this man have, I ask, that was less than the apostles? He did not lack for miracles, and great was the boldness he showed. “They saw,” it says, “that his face was like the face of an angel.” This was his grace. This was the glory of Moses. Gracious did God make him, now that he was about to speak, so that immediately by his very look he might strike them with amazement. For indeed there are faces full of spiritual grace, lovely to behold for those who desire them and commanding respect from enemies who hate them. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 15.