Acts 6:10 – “But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.”

Extended Explanation

This verse describes how Stephen, one of the seven men chosen to serve in the early church (Acts 6:5), was filled with wisdom and power as he boldly defended the truth of Jesus Christ. Certain Jews from the Synagogue of the Freedmen began arguing with Stephen (Acts 6:9), trying to challenge his message about Jesus. However, they were no match for the wisdom and insight that the Holy Spirit gave him.

The religious leaders thought they could out-debate Stephen, but every argument they raised was met with truth so powerful that they could not refute him. His words were not just coming from his own intellect—they were inspired by the Holy Spirit. This echoes what Jesus had promised His followers:

“For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.” – Luke 21:15

Stephen’s ability to speak with such wisdom wasn’t because he had studied more than his opponents, but because he was fully surrendered to God, and the Holy Spirit was speaking through him. This frustrated the religious leaders, leading them to take drastic action against him (Acts 6:11-14), which ultimately resulted in his martyrdom (Acts 7:54-60).

Historical Context

At this time, Jerusalem was filled with many different Jewish synagogues, including the Synagogue of the Freedmen mentioned in Acts 6:9. This group was made up of Jews from places like Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia who had once been captives but had been set free and returned to Jerusalem. They were devoted to Jewish traditions and strongly opposed any message that challenged their understanding of God and the Law.

Stephen, however, was boldly preaching that Jesus was the Messiah and that salvation was found in Him, not through the temple or Jewish law. This directly confronted their religious pride and exposed the flaws in their beliefs. When they could not defeat his arguments, they resorted to underhanded tactics—false accusations and a rigged trial, much like what happened to Jesus.

This event is also significant because one of the men who may have been involved in arguing with Stephen was Saul (later known as Paul). Saul was from Tarsus, a major city in Cilicia, and would later become a fierce persecutor of Christians (Acts 8:1). However, just as he could not defeat Stephen’s wisdom, he would later encounter the risen Christ himself and become one of the greatest defenders of the faith.

Theological Implications

1. The Holy Spirit gives believers wisdom beyond human ability. Stephen’s wisdom did not come from his own knowledge but from the Spirit of God. This shows that God empowers those who are faithful to Him.
2. Truth is unstoppable. The religious leaders tried to argue with Stephen, but they could not silence the truth of the gospel. No matter how much people try to resist, God’s truth will always stand firm.
3. Persecution often follows bold faith. Because Stephen was fearless in speaking for Christ, he was met with intense opposition. This is a reminder that following Jesus can come with a cost, but God will always strengthen us in the face of opposition.
4. God’s wisdom is greater than human reasoning. The religious leaders relied on tradition and human arguments, but Stephen spoke with divine wisdom. This proves that human logic will never defeat God’s truth.

Literary Analysis

Luke, the author of Acts, presents Stephen as a parallel to Jesus. Both spoke with wisdom, both were falsely accused, and both were eventually killed for speaking the truth.

The phrase “they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him” is key. It shows that the problem wasn’t just that Stephen was a good speaker—he was speaking words directly inspired by the Holy Spirit. This phrase also emphasizes that the battle was spiritual, not just intellectual. The religious leaders were resisting God’s truth, not just Stephen’s words.

Luke often highlights how the Holy Spirit empowers believers (Acts 4:31, Acts 13:9-10), and this verse reinforces that theme. Stephen wasn’t speaking on his own—God was speaking through him.

Biblical Cross-References

• Luke 21:15 – “For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.” (Jesus’ promise being fulfilled in Stephen.)
• Matthew 10:19-20 – “But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” (God gives His people the words to say in times of trouble.)
• 1 Corinthians 1:27 – “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” (God’s wisdom surpasses human wisdom.)
• James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (God gives wisdom to those who seek Him.)
• Acts 7:55 – “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” (Stephen remained filled with the Spirit until the end.)

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse is a reminder that God equips His people with the wisdom and strength to stand firm in their faith.

1. We don’t have to rely on our own abilities. When we are faithful to God, He gives us the wisdom and words we need.
2. Standing for truth will often bring opposition. Just like Stephen, we may face challenges when we boldly speak for Christ. But we should not be discouraged—God’s truth cannot be defeated.
3. The Holy Spirit is our strength. We should pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that we can speak with boldness, just as Stephen did.
4. Our words should reflect God’s wisdom. When we share the gospel, we should rely on God’s word and the Spirit’s leading, not just human reasoning.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in how He empowers His people in difficult times. He does not leave His children defenseless—He gives wisdom, strength, and the Holy Spirit to help them stand firm.

Even though Stephen faced opposition, God was with him. His presence and power never left Stephen, proving that God equips His people for every situation.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Stephen’s experience closely mirrors Jesus’:

• Both spoke with wisdom that their enemies could not refute. (Luke 20:26, John 7:46)
• Both faced opposition from religious leaders. (Matthew 26:59-60)
• Both remained faithful despite false accusations. (Matthew 27:12-14)
• Both committed their spirits to God at death. (Luke 23:46, Acts 7:59)

Stephen was a true disciple, following Jesus even unto death. His life reminds us that to follow Christ means to speak boldly, trust in the Spirit, and remain faithful no matter the cost.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How can we rely more on the Holy Spirit for wisdom in our daily lives?
2. Have you ever faced opposition for sharing your faith? How did you handle it?
3. What can we learn from Stephen’s boldness in defending the truth?
4. How does this verse encourage us to be faithful in difficult situations?
5. In what ways can we pray for God’s wisdom to guide our words and actions?

This verse reminds us that God’s wisdom is greater than human opposition. No matter what challenges we face, we can trust the Holy Spirit to give us the strength, words, and wisdom we need.