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Selected Verse: Acts 6:10 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
Ac 6:10	King James	And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake--What he said, and the power with which he spake it, were alike resistless.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake--What he said, and the power with which he spake it, were alike resistless.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
To resist - That is, they were not able to "answer" his arguments. The wisdom - This properly refers to his knowledge of the Scriptures; his skill in what "the Jews" esteemed to be wisdom - acquaintance with their sacred writings, opinions, etc. And the spirit - This has been commonly understood of the Holy Spirit, by which he was aided; but it rather means the "energy, power," or "ardor" of Stephen. He "evinced" a spirit of zeal and sincerity which they could not withstand; which served, more than mere argument could have done, to convince them that he was right. The evidence of sincerity, honesty, and zeal in a public speaker will often go further to convince the great mass of mankind, than the most able argument if delivered in a cold and indifferent manner.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

To resist - That is, they were not able to "answer" his arguments.

The wisdom - This properly refers to his knowledge of the Scriptures; his skill in what "the Jews" esteemed to be wisdom - acquaintance with their sacred writings, opinions, etc.

And the spirit - This has been commonly understood of the Holy Spirit, by which he was aided; but it rather means the "energy, power," or "ardor" of Stephen. He "evinced" a spirit of zeal and sincerity which they could not withstand; which served, more than mere argument could have done, to convince them that he was right. The evidence of sincerity, honesty, and zeal in a public speaker will often go further to convince the great mass of mankind, than the most able argument if delivered in a cold and indifferent manner.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
They were not able (οὐκ ἴσχυον) See on Luk 14:30; and Luk 16:3.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

They were not able (οὐκ ἴσχυον)

See on Luk 14:30; and Luk 16:3.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
They there not able to resist the wisdom, etc. - He was wise, well exercised and experienced, in Divine things; and, as appears by his defense, in the following chapter, well versed in the Jewish history. The spirit by which he spake was the Holy Spirit, and its power was irresistible. They were obliged either to yield to its teachings, or were confounded by its truth. Several MSS. add to this verse, because he reproved them with boldness, they could not resist the truth. This reading is not genuine, though it exists (but in different forms) in some good MSS.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

They there not able to resist the wisdom, etc. - He was wise, well exercised and experienced, in Divine things; and, as appears by his defense, in the following chapter, well versed in the Jewish history. The spirit by which he spake was the Holy Spirit, and its power was irresistible. They were obliged either to yield to its teachings, or were confounded by its truth. Several MSS. add to this verse, because he reproved them with boldness, they could not resist the truth. This reading is not genuine, though it exists (but in different forms) in some good MSS.

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