Acts 6:10

KJV

And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they were {G2480} not {G3756} able {G2480} to resist {G436} the wisdom {G4678} and {G2532} the spirit {G4151} by which {G3739} he spake {G2980}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by which he spoke.

Berean Standard Bible

but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.

American Standard Version

And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 6:10 powerfully illustrates the divine empowerment of Stephen, one of the first deacons, as he proclaimed the Gospel in Jerusalem. Despite facing fierce opposition from various Hellenistic Jewish synagogues, his adversaries found themselves utterly unable to counter the profound wisdom and the undeniable spiritual authority with which he spoke. This verse highlights that Stephen's effectiveness was not from human eloquence but from the irresistible power of the Holy Spirit working through him, making his message both intellectually unassailable and spiritually convicting.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 6:10 is situated within a pivotal narrative in the early church's growth. The preceding verses (Acts 6:1-7) describe an internal challenge: a dispute between Hellenistic (Greek-speaking) and Hebraic (Aramaic-speaking) Jewish believers over the daily distribution to widows. To resolve this, the apostles, prioritizing their ministry of prayer and the word, instructed the community to select seven men "full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom" to oversee this practical need. Stephen is introduced as one of these chosen men, specifically noted as "full of faith and of the Holy Ghost" ([Acts 6:5](/acts/6-5 "Acts 6:5 - Stephen's Character")). Beyond his administrative duties, Stephen was also performing "great wonders and miracles among the people" ([Acts 6:8](/acts/6-8 "Acts 6:8 - Stephen's Miraculous Ministry")) and engaging in fervent public discourse. Verse 9 details the specific opposition he faced: members from the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Libertines), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia, who rose up to dispute with him. Acts 6:10 then describes the futility of their attempts to resist his Spirit-empowered arguments, setting the stage for the false accusations and martyrdom recounted in [Acts 6:11-7:60](/acts/6-11-7-60 "Acts 6:11-7:60 - Stephen's Trial and Martyrdom").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early Christian community in Jerusalem was composed of both Hebraic Jews, who were native to Judea and spoke Aramaic, and Hellenistic Jews, who were Jewish by ethnicity but had adopted Greek language and culture, often having lived in the Diaspora before returning to Jerusalem. This cultural and linguistic divide was a source of tension, as seen in the dispute over the widows. Synagogues, like those mentioned in [Acts 6:9](/acts/6-9 "Acts 6:9 - Stephen's Opponents"), served as central community hubs for Jewish life, worship, and education, and were common places for religious debate. The fact that Stephen, a Hellenistic Jew himself, was debating with other Hellenistic Jews highlights the internal divisions within Judaism regarding the claims of Jesus as the Messiah. His opponents, unable to win the argument through reason, would resort to false testimony and mob violence, a pattern seen throughout the New Testament when the Gospel confronted established religious authorities. This period also marks the nascent church's transition from being an exclusively Jewish sect to a movement increasingly reaching beyond traditional Jewish boundaries, even as it faced intense persecution from within Judaism.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 6:10 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Acts. Firstly, it underscores the **Divine Empowerment** of believers through the Holy Spirit for ministry, especially for proclamation and defense of the faith. Stephen's wisdom and spiritual authority are clearly presented as supernatural gifts, not merely human intellect. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Irresistible Nature of God's Truth** when proclaimed by the Spirit. Despite the fierce opposition, the message itself was unassailable, demonstrating its divine origin and power to convict. This echoes Jesus' promise to His disciples in [Luke 21:15](/luke/21-15 "Luke 21:15 - Jesus' Promise of Wisdom in Persecution"), that He would give them "a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist." Thirdly, it reveals the inevitable **Opposition to the Gospel** that arises when divine truth confronts hardened hearts. Even when arguments are irrefutable, human pride and spiritual blindness can lead to violent rejection rather than repentance, foreshadowing Stephen's martyrdom and the broader persecution of the early church described throughout [the book of Acts](/acts/1 "The Book of Acts - The Acts of the Apostles").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **resist (Greek, _anthístēmi_):** From G436, meaning "to stand against, i.e. oppose; resist, withstand." This word emphasizes the active, intentional opposition Stephen's adversaries mounted against him. Their inability to "resist" implies a complete failure to counter his arguments or withstand the force of his message, highlighting the overwhelming power of what Stephen was saying.
* **wisdom (Greek, _sophía_):** From G4678, meaning "wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual)." In this context, it refers to a divine, spiritual wisdom, not merely human intellectual acumen or cleverness. It denotes a profound insight into God's truth and a skillful application of that truth in discourse.
* **spirit (Greek, _pneûma_):** From G4151, meaning "a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit... or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit." Here, "the spirit" unequivocally refers to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. Stephen was speaking under the direct inspiration, anointing, and power of the Holy Spirit, which gave his words divine weight and authority, distinguishing his discourse from ordinary human speech.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they were not able to resist":** This phrase underscores the complete intellectual and spiritual defeat of Stephen's opponents. Despite their attempts to argue and dispute, they found themselves utterly incapable of refuting his points or withstanding the compelling force of his message. Their inability was not due to a lack of effort or skill on their part, but to the supernatural power behind Stephen's words.
* **"the wisdom":** This refers to the profound, divinely-imparted insight Stephen possessed. It was not merely human knowledge or rhetorical skill, but a spiritual understanding of God's truth that allowed him to articulate complex theological concepts with clarity, precision, and irrefutable logic, often drawing from the Old Testament scriptures.
* **"and the spirit":** This directly points to the Holy Spirit as the source of Stephen's power and effectiveness. The "spirit" here is the animating, empowering presence of God within Stephen, enabling him to speak with divine authority and conviction. It was the Holy Spirit who imbued his words with persuasive power and truth, making them irresistible to his human adversaries.
* **"by which he spake":** This clause explicitly links Stephen's speech to the "wisdom and the spirit." It clarifies that his words were not just his own, but were inspired and empowered by divine wisdom and the Holy Spirit. This divine enablement transformed his ordinary human speech into a powerful instrument of God's truth, carrying an authority that his opponents could not gainsay or withstand.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Emphasis** is achieved through the pairing of "wisdom" and "spirit," highlighting the dual, yet unified, source of Stephen's irresistible power. This is a form of **hendiadys**, where two nouns joined by "and" express a single, complex idea—in this case, Spirit-empowered wisdom. There is also a strong sense of **contrast** presented between the human inability of Stephen's opponents and the divine, supernatural power at work through him. The phrase "not able to resist" functions as a form of **litotes**, an understatement that actually emphasizes the profound and absolute nature of their defeat; it means they were *completely* overwhelmed. Furthermore, the "wisdom and the spirit" can be seen as a **metonymy** for the Holy Spirit's comprehensive empowerment, where specific attributes (wisdom, spiritual power) stand in for the full person and work of the Spirit.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 6:10 serves as a profound theological statement about the nature of Spirit-empowered ministry. It affirms that true effectiveness in proclaiming God's truth does not stem from human eloquence, intellectual superiority, or persuasive rhetoric, but from the direct anointing and enablement of the Holy Spirit. Stephen's irresistible wisdom was a manifestation of God's own truth and power, demonstrating that when the Gospel is proclaimed under the Spirit's influence, it carries an inherent authority that human opposition cannot ultimately overcome. This dynamic highlights the ongoing spiritual warfare between the kingdom of God and the forces of darkness, where the Spirit's power is always superior, even if it leads to physical persecution for the messenger. It underscores that the message's power resides in its divine origin, not in the messenger's human capabilities.

* [Luke 21:15](/luke/21-15 "Luke 21:15 - Jesus' Promise of Wisdom in Persecution")
* [1 Corinthians 2:4](/1_corinthians/2-4 "1 Corinthians 2:4 - Paul's Preaching in Spirit and Power")
* [James 3:17](/james/3-17 "James 3:17 - The Wisdom from Above")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 6:10 offers profound insights for believers today, particularly regarding our witness and service. It reminds us that our effectiveness in sharing the Gospel or defending our faith is not contingent on our own intellectual prowess, educational background, or rhetorical skill, but on our reliance on the Holy Spirit. Just as Stephen was filled with the Spirit and wisdom, we too are called to depend on divine enablement. This means cultivating a deep relationship with God through prayer, seeking the Spirit's guidance, and allowing His truth to transform our minds and hearts. When we speak, whether in evangelism, teaching, or simply in daily conversations, we should do so with a humble confidence that the Spirit will empower our words, making them carry a weight and conviction that human arguments alone cannot achieve. Furthermore, Stephen's experience teaches us to anticipate opposition. The irresistibility of God's truth does not guarantee acceptance; often, it provokes greater hostility from those whose hearts are hardened. Our calling is to faithfully proclaim, trusting the Spirit to work, regardless of the immediate human response, knowing that the ultimate victory belongs to God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does reliance on the Holy Spirit impact our confidence and approach when sharing our faith or defending biblical truth?**
* **In what practical ways can we seek to be "full of wisdom and the Spirit" in our daily lives and ministries?**
* **When our Spirit-empowered message is met with resistance or hostility, how should we respond, drawing lessons from Stephen's example?**

### FAQ

**Who were Stephen's opponents in Acts 6:10?**

Answer: Stephen's opponents were various groups of Hellenistic Jews from different synagogues in Jerusalem, specifically mentioned in [Acts 6:9](/acts/6-9 "Acts 6:9 - Stephen's Opponents") as the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Libertines), and those from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia. These were Jews who had adopted Greek culture and language, often returning to Jerusalem from the Diaspora, and they engaged Stephen in public debate.

**What does "the wisdom and the spirit" refer to in this verse?**

Answer: "The wisdom and the spirit" refers to the divine insight and the direct anointing and power of the Holy Spirit that enabled Stephen to speak. "Wisdom" (Greek: _sophia_) denotes a supernatural understanding of God's truth, while "the spirit" (Greek: _pneuma_) unequivocally points to the Holy Spirit, who empowered Stephen's words, making them carry divine authority and conviction. It was the Holy Spirit's presence and influence that made his arguments unassailable.

**Why were Stephen's opponents "not able to resist" his words?**

Answer: Stephen's opponents were "not able to resist" because the truth he spoke was divinely empowered by the Holy Spirit. His arguments were not merely human logic or rhetoric, but were infused with supernatural wisdom and authority. This made his message intellectually and spiritually unassailable, profoundly convicting those who heard it, even if they ultimately chose to reject it and resort to violence rather than repentance. The power was in the message's divine source, not merely in Stephen's human ability.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 6:10, describing Stephen's Spirit-empowered and irresistible witness, finds its ultimate fulfillment and prototype in Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus, during His earthly ministry, consistently spoke with unparalleled "wisdom and authority" ([Luke 4:32](/luke/4-32 "Luke 4:32 - Jesus' Authoritative Teaching")), confounding His adversaries who marvelled at His words and could not refute Him ([Matthew 22:46](/matthew/22-46 "Matthew 22:46 - No One Could Answer Jesus")). He was uniquely anointed by the Holy Spirit from His baptism ([Luke 3:22](/luke/3-22 "Luke 3:22 - Jesus' Baptism and the Holy Spirit")) to preach the good news and teach with divine power. Stephen's experience, therefore, is a direct continuation of Christ's own ministry through His body, the Church, empowered by the same Spirit. The promise Jesus made to His disciples, that the Holy Spirit would teach them all things and bring to remembrance all that He had said ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Spirit as Teacher and Reminder")), and that He would give them words and wisdom that no adversary could gainsay ([Luke 21:15](/luke/21-15 "Luke 21:15 - Jesus' Promise of Wisdom in Persecution")), is vividly demonstrated in Stephen. Ultimately, all wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, in Whom are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge")), and the Holy Spirit's work in believers like Stephen is to reveal Christ and His truth, confronting the world with the irresistible reality of God's kingdom, even unto martyrdom, just as Christ Himself suffered for the truth.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 21:15

For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

1 Corinthians 2:4

And my speech and my preaching [was] not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

Job 32:8

But [there is] a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

John 7:46

The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.

Luke 12:11

And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and [unto] magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:

Luke 12:12

For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

Matthew 10:19

But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.