John Calvin Commentary Acts 6:8

"And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people." — Acts 6:8 (ASV)

Luke sets forth again the increase of the Church, so that he may better declare the power of God and His grace in its continual progress. This was an excellent work of God that the Church was suddenly, and, as it were, in a moment, raised up.

But this is no less worthy of admiration, in that He furthers that work which He had begun amidst so many hindrances, and in that the number of these believers increases—those whom the world labors so greatly to diminish and, consequently, to destroy their entire company.

When he says that the Word of God did grow, he means that it was spread further abroad. The Word of God is said to grow in two ways: either when new disciples are brought to obey it, or as every one of us profits and progresses in it.

Luke speaks in this place of the former sort of increase, for he explains himself subsequently when he speaks of the number of the disciples. Nevertheless, he confines this great increase of faith to one city. For although it is to be supposed that the disciples were scattered elsewhere, yet there was no definite body of believers except only in Jerusalem.

And a great company. Seeing that (properly speaking) our faith obeys the doctrine of the gospel, it is a figurative speech, uttered by metonymy, when Luke says that they obeyed the faith; for the word faith is taken by him for the Word of God, and the very profession of Christianity. And he mentions the priests specifically because they were mostly enemies; for which reason it was a wonderful work of God that some were converted, and much more wonderful that many were. For at first they raged against Christ with this boast: Hath any of the rulers believed in him? But this multitude, which knoweth not the law, are accursed.

And Stephen. Luke recounts here a new conflict of the Church, by which it appears that the glory of the gospel was always joined with the cross and various troubles. And this is the essence: the Church was assaulted in the person of one man. As a result, the enemies became bolder, and being stained with innocent blood, raged more fiercely than they were accustomed; for they had not yet gone beyond imprisonment and beatings.

But so that we may know that the name of Christ was glorified both in the life and in the death of Stephen, Luke says at first, that he was full of faith and power. By this he signifies that his faith was excellent, and that he excelled in the power to do miracles.

Nor should we imagine perfection of faith because he is said to be full of faith; but this way of speaking is often used in Scripture, to call those full of the gifts of God who are abundantly endowed with them. I take power (undoubtedly) for ability to do miracles.

Faith comprehends not only the gift of understanding, but also the fervor of zeal. Since his name was famous because of his excellence, it thereby came to pass that the rage of the wicked was directed against him, as it were, with one accord, to overthrow him. For as soon as the force and grace of the Spirit shows itself, the fury of Satan is immediately provoked.

And it will appear from the text that Stephen was diligent and courageous in spreading abroad the doctrine of the gospel; but Luke passes over that, being content to have commended his faith, which could not be lazy and inactive.