Jesus Christ] Teach his doctrines-set forth his life, death, and resurrection, the object of his coming, the necessity of repentance and faith in him; and then press their hearers, by arguments and entreaties, to an immediate belief in him unto salvation.

CHAPTER VI.

1. The Grecian Christians murmur against the Hebrews, esteeming that their poor are neglected in the distribution of the funds for the destitute; 3, the apostles, therefore, appoint seven men of good report to take the entire charge of this matter, and give themselves wholly to their appropriate work. 5. Among these was Stephen, a man full of the Holy Ghost, and a powerful preacher. 9. Certain members of the foreign synagogues attempt to dispute with him concerning the gospel, but are confounded in the argument; 12, they, therefore, excite a popular tumult against him, and hurry him before the Sanhedrim, 13, falsely accusing him of blasphemy; 15, but his innocence shone out conspicuously in his countenance as they gazed upon him.

ΑΝ

ND 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.

2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto

1. And in those days] Soon after the events recorded in the preceding chapter. A murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews] Original, Hellenists. These were foreign Jews, who were born and resided in Grecian cities, and spake the Grecian tongue. They had come up to Jerusalem, probably, to attend the feast, and, being converted to Christianity, chose to sojourn there rather than return immediately to their native cities. The Hebrews were the native-born Jews who spoke the language of Palestine-Syro-Chaldee. This seems to have been the matter in dispute. Under the benevolent impulses of the Holy Spirit the wealthy converts, both Jews and Grecians, had contributed liberally to a common fund for the support of the poor, with the intention that it should be distributed equally among all the needy cases. Mosheim and the best commentators are of the opinion that distributers of this bounty were appointed from among the Hebrews, who had care of the fund, and to whom appeals for relief were made. Either with or without sufficient reason, suspicion arose among the Hellenists, or foreign Jews, that partiality was shown in the distribution, and that their necessitous widows did not receive their due proportion of relief, while the native Jews were liberally supplied. In the daily ministration] Daily distribution. Acts iv, 35.

2. The twelve The twelve apostles. The multitude of the disciples

them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

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.

4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

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,

The church generally. It is not reason] It is not proper or fitting that our office, which is of so much more importance, should be hindered to attend to these minor cases. Leave the word of God] Interrupt or neglect our business of preaching the gospel, which is indeed the word of God. Serve tables] Attend to the daily wants of the poor-see that their tables are provided from the general fund.

3. Look ye out among you] Choose carefully from your number. Honest report] Men noted for their honesty and probity. Full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom] Eminently pious, and entirely devoted to the gospel; and, withal, prudent and discriminating in managing business transactions. Some pious men are most miserable financiers. The wisest, as well as most devout, should be appointed to manage the necessary business of the church. Whom we may appoint] Confirm and set apart to the management of this business.

4. But we will give ourselves, &c.] We will constantly and steadfastly give ourselves to prayer, and, as it may also imply, to religious meditation, preparatory to public teaching. Mr. Wesley remarks: "This is doubtless the proper business of a Christian bishop, (or pastor,) to speak to God in prayer; to men, in preaching his word, as ambassador for Christ."

5. This suggestion met with general approbation, and they nominate seven who are all Hellenists, or foreign Jews, the original Jewish distributers probably being united with them. Stephen] Who soon gave eminent evidence of his being filled with the Holy Ghost, and a man of extraordinary ability. The church, however, soon lost the benefit of his wisdom, as he enjoyed the high honor of being the first martyr. (See Acts viii.) Philip] A preacher also, who is mentioned (Acts viii, 5) as laboring with much success in Samaria. Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch] That is, he was a Gentile Greek, who, having become a proselyte, or being converted to the Jewish faith, afterward embraced the gospel of Christ, and united himself with the early church. Antioch was a city of Syria, situated on the river Orontes.

6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

7 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.

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

9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexan

It was here that the disciples were first called Christians. (See Acts xi, 26.)

6. Whom they set before the apostles] Presented to them for their blessing, as their choice, and every way worthy of their office. They laid their hands on them] In this way investing them with the responsibilities of their office. It was customary among the Jews thus to induct into office. (See Gen. xlviii, 14; Num. xxvii, 18, 19.) In this way, also, the apostles were wont instrumentally to convey the blessing of the Holy Ghost upon the disciples, Acts viii, 17; xix, 6; and it may be on this occasion, to fit them every way for their duties, the miraculous influences of the Spirit were imparted. We are informed in the eighth verse that Stephen "did great wonders and miracles among the people."

7. And the word of God increased] The doctrines of the gospel were widely spread. A great company of the priests] And this is the more remarkable, as they had been among the most virulent opposers and persecutors of Christ and the apostles, and denounced his miracles; but under the preaching of these men, endowed with the Holy Spirit, they are slain, and submit to the gospel. "From this we may learn," says Dr. Clarke, " that it is not by miracles that sinners are to be converted to God, but by the preaching of Christ dying for their offenses, and rising again for their justification." Obedient to the faith] Obeyed the gospel requirements, to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

8. Full of faith and power] With unwavering confidence in God, and on that account fearless while in the path of duty, and also full of confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ, and therefore prepared everywhere to preach him, and being endowed with "power from on high," and thus enabled to work miracles.

9. The synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines] There were four hundred and eighty synagogues in Jerusalem, and probably the Jews from foreign cities had their own synagogue by themselves, where they met together. This would probably, and almost necessarily, be the case from their various dialects, peculiar interests

drians, and of them of Cilicia, and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.

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

11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.

and sympathies, and the disrespect with which foreign Jews were regarded by the native born. Of the Libertines here mentioned, many opinions have been held. The most plausible seems to be, that the name was derived from their peculiar state and condition. It is a Roman term, and an acquaintance with Roman customs throws some light upon it. Among them, a person who had been a slave and had obtained his freedom was called libertus; and his child, born after his freedom, was called libertinus, the plural of which is the word here used. We know, from the Jewish historian, that there were many slaves in Rome and Italy, who, at different times, had been removed from Palestine. These afterward received their liberty, and were living in great numbers at Rome, practicing the customs and rites of their fathers. Eighteen years before the present time the Jews were banished from Rome by Tiberius, and many of them would have undoubtedly resorted to Jerusalem. These sons of liberated slaves very probably bore the title in the text, and, in connection with others from other cities of the Roman empire in the same condition, had their synagogue by themselves. Connected with the large synagogues were rabbinical schools or colleges for young students, under the charge of some celebrated rabbi. These pupils would be likely to covet an opportunity to display their theological acumen, and be eager to enter into dispute. Cyrenians] These were Jews from Cyrene, a large and powerful city in Africa. Alexandrians] Jews from Alexandria, in Egypt, in which city were multitudes of this people. Cilicia] A province of Asia Minor, bordering on the Mediterranean, where was Tarsus, the birthplace of Paul, who probably was a member of this synagogue. Asia] Asia Minor, the western peninsula, or the still smaller division of proconsular Asia. (See Acts ii, 9.)

10. And they were not able to resist the wisdom, &c.] By wisdom is meant something more than ordinary ingenuity in argument. It was that wisdom that cometh from above, rendering his naturally strong powers invincible. And the Spirit] He was endued with the Holy Ghost; what could resist or parry the influence of this? Our Lord had promised to give his apostles "a mouth and wisdom, which all their enemies should not be able to gainsay or resist." Luke xxi, 15. The Holy Ghost makes a powerful preacher.

11. Then they suborned men] Privily introduced or procured false wit

12 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,

13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

nesses. Induced to swear falsely. Being overcome in the discussion of their own seeking, and unable to meet the force of Stephen's demonstrations, they sought, by most cowardly and dishonest means, to destroy his influence and ruin him. Blasphemous words against Moses, and against God] This was the highest accusation that could be brought against any man, as blasphemy was also considered treason, and was punished with death. Lev. xxvi, 16. Blasphemy against man is falsely accusing, disparaging him, or treating disrespectfully his character and reputation;—against God, speaking falsely and impiously against him. By false inferences from the language of the apostles, in reference to Christ's fulfilling the ceremonial law, and rendering it unnecessary to salvation, but requiring faith in Jesus, who was greater than Moses, and was to be regarded henceforth as their teacher and spiritual leader, as if they had represented him as a false teacher or impostor, they accuse him of blasphemy against Moses; and, as his institutions were of divine appointment, they esteem this blasphemy against God also. Bishop Horsley, in his answer to Priestley, shows that this blasphemy against God consisted in asserting the divinity of Christ, which Stephen died attesting. (See verse 14.)

12. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes] And they—that is, the Libertines-raised a commotion and popular tumult among the people and higher classes-the elders and scribes-who, being connected with the Sanhedrim, would summon Stephen to trial. And they came upon him] “And they, having come upon him" in a tumultuous manner, forcibly seized him without any legal arrest, and carried him in this way to the court of the Sanhedrim.

13. And set up false witnesses] They did not probably apply to him language that he did not use, but they perverted the sense of it, not quoting it correctly, and exaggerating what they did quote. They distorted the sense of it, and made it quite a different matter. We should always be watchful when we repeat another's, and especially an opponent's, language, to do it with absolute correctness, and not twist and distort it, to enable us to draw from it an unworthy and unintended inference. This was the falsehood of these suborned witnesses. Against this holy place] Against Jerusalem (Matt. iv, 5) and the temple, by prophesying their destruction. And the law] The law of Moses, in preaching salvation by Christ.