Acts 6 8

Acts 6:8 kjv

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

Acts 6:8 nkjv

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

Acts 6:8 niv

Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

Acts 6:8 esv

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

Acts 6:8 nlt

Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.

Acts 6 verses

Acts 6 8 Meaning

Acts 6:8 introduces Stephen as a highly spiritually gifted individual, endowed with an exceptional measure of faith and the empowering presence of God. This divine enablement manifested outwardly as he continuously performed significant miraculous wonders and signs openly among the Jewish people in Jerusalem. These acts served as divine authentication of his ministry and the message of the nascent Christian Church, demonstrating God's active presence.

Acts 6 8 Context

Acts chapter 6 opens with a practical problem within the early Christian community: the Hellenistic (Greek-speaking) Jewish widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food compared to the Hebraic (Aramaic-speaking) widows. To address this, the apostles, desiring to focus on prayer and the ministry of the word, proposed choosing seven men "full of the Spirit and wisdom" to manage this distribution. Stephen was one of these seven chosen, reflecting the early church's focus on character and spiritual giftedness for service, even in practical matters. Verse 8 then immediately elevates Stephen's ministry beyond just administrative duties, showcasing him as a prominent figure performing public miracles, which sets the stage for his powerful sermon in Acts 7 and his subsequent martyrdom. This context shows the church's growth, its organizational developments, and the Holy Spirit empowering its members in various ways, not just the apostles. Historically, the performance of "signs and wonders" was often viewed by Jewish society as evidence of divine approval for a prophet or messenger, placing Stephen's actions squarely within accepted categories of God's work, yet he ultimately challenged aspects of the established Jewish temple system through his message.

Acts 6 8 Word analysis

• And Stephen: Στέφανος (Stephanos), meaning "crown" or "garland". He is introduced here not merely as one of the seven deacons, but as an individual of remarkable spiritual stature, indicating the special prominence his ministry will assume. This sets him apart even among the highly esteemed chosen men.
• full of faith: πλήρης πίστεως (plērēs pisteōs). "Full of" implies an abundance, an overflowing condition. "Faith" (πίστις - pistis) here signifies deep, unwavering trust in God, not just intellectual assent. It speaks of his internal spiritual character, being deeply rooted in God's power and promises. This qualitative aspect of faith is crucial for spiritual empowerment and miraculous work, going beyond merely believing in God to believing God for specific outcomes and empowering works. This quality made him receptive and obedient to the Holy Spirit's promptings.
• and power: καὶ δυνάμεως (kai dynameōs). "Power" (δύναμις - dunamis) refers to inherent strength, capability, or miraculous power. It is dynamic, transformative power, often directly associated with the Holy Spirit in Acts (Acts 1:8). This is not Stephen's own natural ability, but a divine empowerment that manifested externally. This combination of "faith" and "power" underscores that his miraculous abilities were divinely sourced and flowed from his profound relationship with God. The spiritual power was not separate from his faith, but intrinsically linked to it as the conduit.
• did: ἐποίει (epoiei). This verb is in the imperfect tense, signifying continuous or repeated action. Stephen wasn't just appointed and then did one miracle; he continually performed these acts. This emphasizes the ongoing, active nature of his powerful ministry, rather than an isolated event.
• great wonders and signs: τέρατα καὶ σημεῖα μεγάλα (terata kai sēmeia megala). This is a common biblical pairing, particularly in Acts.
  • "Wonders" (τέρατα - terata) highlight the awe, astonishment, and amazement provoked by an act, often emphasizing its extraordinary nature. They grab attention.
  • "Signs" (σημεῖα - sēmeia) emphasize the purpose or meaning behind the act, pointing beyond itself to a greater truth or confirming the divine authority of the messenger and the message. They authenticate.
  • "Great" (μεγάλα - megala) underscores the magnitude, impact, and undeniable nature of these miraculous manifestations. They were not minor, but clearly visible and impactful, lending strong credibility to Stephen’s words.
  • Combined, these terms describe extraordinary, divinely-empowered acts that caused astonishment and served to confirm the truth of God’s word and presence among His people, often challenging existing naturalistic or pagan beliefs. Such demonstrations often had a polemical edge against other spiritual authorities or non-biblical belief systems by demonstrating the superiority of the God of Israel.
• among the people: ἐν τῷ λαῷ (en tō laō). This phrase indicates that Stephen's ministry was public and visible, not confined to small groups or private settings. The miracles were performed openly within the Jewish community. This public nature heightened their impact and spread news of the growing Christian movement, but also brought him into direct confrontation with religious authorities later on. His public actions mirror Christ's ministry (Mt 4:23-25).

Acts 6 8 Bonus section

The Greek word "dunamis" (power) used for Stephen's enablement is significant. It implies a dynamic, inherent capability to accomplish something. In the New Testament, it is frequently used to describe the miraculous power of God or the Holy Spirit working through individuals (e.g., Acts 1:8, Lk 24:49). This suggests that Stephen's miracles were not based on human strength or skill, but on divine energy directly operating through him. His ministry served as a tangible manifestation of God's kingdom actively advancing, challenging the existing spiritual and religious structures through irrefutable demonstrations of God's presence.

Acts 6 8 Commentary

Acts 6:8 provides a pivotal shift in the narrative by spotlighting Stephen, who was initially introduced as one of seven chosen for administrative duties. Luke immediately reveals that Stephen's ministry transcended these administrative tasks. He was profoundly "full of faith and power," an internal spiritual state directly manifesting in external, tangible ways. This combination of an internal character trait (faith) and an empowering divine enablement (power from the Holy Spirit) underscores the source of his miraculous capabilities. The "great wonders and signs" were God's visible endorsement of Stephen, validating his role as a messenger of Christ. These acts served not only to attract attention and evoke awe ("wonders") but, more importantly, to authenticate the divine origin of the Christian message and confirm God's active presence in the early church ("signs"). Performing these openly "among the people" made his ministry public and undeniable, mirroring the pattern of Jesus and the apostles. This verse lays the groundwork for Stephen's prominence, leading to his impactful sermon and eventual martyrdom, emphasizing that spiritual gifting extends beyond designated apostles to all who are empowered by the Holy Spirit.