Acts 6:8

¶ And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

And {G1161} Stephen {G4736}, full {G4134} of faith {G4102} and {G2532} power {G1411}, did {G4160} great {G3173} wonders {G5059} and {G2532} miracles {G4592} among {G1722} the people {G2992}.

Now Stephen, full of grace and power, performed great miracles and signs among the people.

Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people.

Context

Acts 6:8 introduces Stephen, one of the seven men chosen by the early Christian community to manage the daily distribution of food to widows, as described in Acts 6:1-6. While appointed for a practical administrative task, Stephen quickly emerges as a figure of profound spiritual authority and miraculous power. This verse highlights that his appointment to service did not diminish his spiritual anointing but rather underscored the Holy Spirit's empowerment for diverse ministries within the rapidly growing Jerusalem church.

Key Themes

  • Divine Empowerment: Stephen is described as "full of faith and power." This is not merely a description of his personal qualities but a testament to the Holy Spirit's active presence and enablement in his life. His faith was the conduit through which God's miraculous power operated, demonstrating that divine gifts were distributed not just among the apostles but also among those appointed for service.
  • Authenticating Signs and Wonders: The "great wonders and miracles" Stephen performed served as powerful attestations to the truth of the gospel message he preached. In the early church, such signs were crucial for validating the apostles' and Spirit-filled believers' ministries, drawing attention to God's active presence and confirming the divine origin of the Christian faith. This echoes the signs performed by the apostles themselves (Acts 2:43, Acts 3:6-8).
  • Stephen's Character and Ministry: Despite his administrative role, Stephen's ministry transcended mere practical service. He was clearly a dynamic evangelist and apologist, whose powerful preaching and miraculous works soon drew significant opposition, eventually leading to his martyrdom (Acts 7:59-60). This verse sets the stage for his subsequent bold witness before the Sanhedrin.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "full of faith and power" translates from the Greek plērēs pisteōs kai dynameōs. The word plērēs ("full") signifies a complete saturation or abundance, indicating that faith and divine power were defining characteristics of Stephen's being, not just occasional attributes. Pisteōs (faith) refers to his deep trust and reliance on God, while dynameōs (power) denotes miraculous ability, divine strength, and inherent might. This emphasis on "fullness" highlights a profound spiritual indwelling, which enabled his extraordinary ministry.

Practical Application

Stephen's example in Acts 6:8 reminds believers that God equips His servants with spiritual gifts and power, regardless of their specific role within the church. Whether in leadership, administration, or evangelism, our effectiveness flows from being filled with the Holy Spirit, which manifests as faith and divine enablement. While not all believers are called to perform miracles, every Christian is empowered to serve God's purposes, demonstrating His love and truth through their lives. This verse encourages us to cultivate a deep faith and yield ourselves to the Spirit's leading, trusting Him to work through us for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 4:29

    And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

  • Acts 4:30

    By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

  • Acts 7:55

    But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

  • Acts 6:5

    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:

  • 1 Timothy 3:13

    For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

  • Acts 6:15

    And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

  • Acts 2:17

    And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
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