Acts 6:8

What does Acts 6:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 6:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 6:8 means

Stephen, one of the seven men recently appointed to oversee the daily distribution, was not only dedicated to practical service but was also powerfully endowed with God's grace and divine power. Through him, God performed remarkable wonders and miraculous signs among the people. This indicates that his ministry extended beyond material administration, demonstrating a spiritual anointing that allowed him to be an instrument of God's supernatural activity. It shows God's continued working through His servants in the new covenant.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

This verse introduces Stephen's profound spiritual ministry, shifting the narrative's focus from the collective work of the seven to the individual power and grace evident in one of them. It follows the general statement of church growth in verse 7, providing a specific example of how God was working through His appointed servants. This verse sets the stage for the conflict that will arise due to Stephen's powerful witness.

v.7And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

v.8This passage

v.9But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue calledthe synagogueof the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 6:15

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

  • Acts 7:55

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

  • Ephesians 4:11

    And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

  • Acts 6:10

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

  • Acts 6:3

    Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

  • Acts 8:6

    And the multitudes gave heed with one accord unto the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs which he did.

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