From Nave’s Topical Bible
Stephen
Every passage the 1896 Nave’s Topical Biblegathers under this heading, in Nave’s own arrangement and then in Bible order. MannaFest has not written this page — it is the older index, transcribed, with the Word travelling beside each reference.
- 12Passages listed
- 1Books of the 66
- 1896Nave's edition
How Nave’s arranged it
- (A Christian martyr)
- Appointed one of the committee of seven to oversee the daily ministrationActs 6:3Acts 6:5Acts 6:6
- Faith and power ofActs 6:5Acts 6:8–10
- False charges againstActs 6:11–15
- Defense ofActs 7
- StonedActs 7:54–60Acts 8:1Acts 22:20
- Burial ofActs 8:2
- Gentle and forgiving spirit ofActs 7:59Acts 7:60
The passages, in Bible order (12)
The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 12 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.
- Acts 6:3
Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint this responsibility to them
Commentary on Acts 6:32 voices
Of good report - That there may be no room to suspect them of partiality or injustice. Full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom - For it is not a light matter to dispense even the temporal goods of the Church. To do even this well, a large measure both of the gifts and grace of God is requisite.
John Wesley· Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament, 1755Evangelical
Wherefore brethren look ye out among you,.... Or "choose out among you", as the Syriac version adds, and as the Arabic and Ethiopic versions render it; which shows that this sort of officers, deacons, must be members of the church, and of the same church to which they are ordained deacons; and that they must be chosen to that office by the whole community, or by the common suffrages and votes of the people.
John Gill· Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748)Reformed
- Acts 6:5
This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
Commentary on Acts 6:52 voices
Stephen, &c.--As this and the following names are all Greek, it is likely they were all of the "Grecian" class, which would effectually restore mutual confidence.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown· Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, 1871Reformed
Luke also has recorded that Stephen, who was the first elected into the diaconate by the apostles, and who was the first slain for the testimony of Christ, spoke regarding Moses as follows: "This man did indeed receive the commandments of the living God to give to us, whom your fathers would not obey, but thrust [Him from them], and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us; for we do not know what has happened to [this] Moses, who led us from the land of Egypt.
Irenaeus· Against Heresies Book 4.15.1Patristic
- Acts 6:6
They presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
Commentary on Acts 6:62 voices
They set them before the sight of the apostles, and praying, they laid hands on them. Not those who set them, but the apostles, laid hands on them. For indeed the common dispensation demanded that men be chosen as ministers for widows; but when those …
Bede· Retractions on ActsPatristic
Whom they set before the apostles,.... They did not barely nominate and propose them to them, but they brought them into their presence, and placed them before them, as the persons whom they had chosen, in order to be ordained by them.
John Gill· Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748)Reformed
- Acts 6:8–10
Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.
Commentary on Acts 6:8–102 voices
And Stephen, &c.--The foregoing narrative seems to be only an introduction to what follows. full of faith--rather, "of grace," as the best manuscripts read.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown· Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, 1871Reformed
With the common ordination of the seven having taken place, Stephen obtained the greater grace of choice for the one more suitable for selection. For he who before ordination did not perform marvels, when it was not evident what he was, and when by ordination …
Oecumenius· Commentary on ActsPatristic
- Acts 6:11–15
Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.”
Commentary on Acts 6:11–152 voices
"Then they suborned certain men to say." The disputants do not testify themselves — because they would immediately be exposed as slandering Stephen out of envy — but they bribe others, so that the matter would not be considered unjust — because they did not …
Theophylact of Ohrid· Commentary on ActsPatristic
Then they suborned men,.... Hired false witnesses, which seems to have been commonly done by the Jews; so they did in the case of Christ: which said, we have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God; that is, against the law of Moses, and so against God, who gave the law to Moses, as appears from Act 6:13 the blasphemous words seem to be, with respect to the ceremonial law, and the abrogation of it, which Stephen might insist upon, and they charged with blasphemy; see Act 6:14.
John Gill· Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748)Reformed
- Acts 7:1
Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?”
Commentary on Acts 7:11 voice
Then said the high priest - See the notes on Mat 2:4. In this case the high priest seems to have presided in the council. Are these things so? - To wit, the charge alleged against him of blasphemy against Moses and the temple, Act 6:13-14.
Albert Barnes· Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)Evangelical
- Acts 7:54–60
On hearing this, the members of the Sanhedrin were enraged, and they gnashed their teeth at him.
Commentary on Acts 7:54–602 voices
If the Jews wanted to kill Stephen, then why did they not kill him immediately? Because they wanted to present a plausible pretext for their audacity, since the insult he had caused them was not a plausible pretext for killing him; moreover, what they considered …
Theophylact of Ohrid· Commentary on ActsPatristic
They were cut to the heart - Διεπριοντο, They were sawn through. See the note on Act 5:33. They gnashed on him with their teeth - They were determined to hear him no longer; were filled with rage against him, and evidently thirsted for his blood.
Adam Clarke· Commentary on the BibleEvangelical
- Acts 7:59
While they were stoning him, Stephen appealed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Commentary on Acts 7:592 voices
And they stoned Stephen, invoking and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit - This is the literal translation of the words, the name of God not being in the original. Nevertheless such a solemn prayer to Christ, in which a departing soul is thus committed into his hands, is such an act of worship, as no good man could have paid to a mere creature;
John Wesley· Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament, 1755Evangelical
Calling upon God - The word God is not in the original, and should not have been in the translation. It is in none of the ancient mss. or versions. It should have been rendered, “They stoned Stephen, invoking, or calling upon, and saying, Lord Jesus,” etc. That is, he was engaged “in prayer” to the Lord Jesus.
Albert Barnes· Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)Evangelical
- Acts 7:60
Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Commentary on Acts 7:601 voice
Lord--that is, JESUS, beyond doubt, whom he had just before addressed as Lord. lay not this sin to their charge--Comparing this with nearly the same prayer of his dying Lord, it will be seen how very richly this martyr of Jesus had drunk into his Master's spirit, in its divinest form. he fell asleep--never said of the death of Christ.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown· Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, 1871Reformed
- Acts 8:1
And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
Commentary on Acts 8:12 voices
And Saul was consenting ... - Was pleased with his being put to death and approved it. Compare Act 22:20. This part of the verse should have been connected with the previous chapter. And at that time. - That is, immediately following the death of Stephen. The persecution arose on account of Stephen, Act 11:19. The tumult did not subside when Stephen was killed. The anger of his persecutors continued to be excited against all Christians.
Albert Barnes· Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)Evangelical
At that time there was great persecution against the Church - Their adversaries having tasted blood, were the more eager. And they were all dispersed - Not all the Church: if so, who would have remained for the apostles to teach, or Saul to persecute?
John Wesley· Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament, 1755Evangelical
- Acts 8:2
God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him.
Commentary on Acts 8:22 voices
"And devout men buried Stephen." If they were "devout," then how did they "make great lamentation?" This is because they were not yet perfect. On the other hand, who would not have wept, being deprived of such teaching, such defense, and such miracles, and seeing …
Theophylact of Ohrid· Commentary on ActsPatristic
Devout men carried Stephen to his burial - The Greek word, συνεκομισαν, signifies not only to carry, or rather to gather up, but also to do every thing necessary for the interment of the dead. Among the Jews, and indeed among most nations of the earth, it was esteemed a work of piety, charity, and mercy, to bury the dead.
Adam Clarke· Commentary on the BibleEvangelical
- Acts 22:20
And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’
Commentary on Acts 22:202 voices
When the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by - A real convert still retains the remembrance of his former sins. He confesses thorn and is humbled for them, all the days of his life.
John Wesley· Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament, 1755Evangelical
"And when the blood of Stephen was being shed." He reminded them of one cruel murder, when Stephen was reproving them at that time, and they could not endure it.
Theophylact of Ohrid· Commentary on ActsPatristic