Acts 6:10
BeginnerActs 6:10 · World English Bible (WEB)
“They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.”
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Overview
Stephen’s opponents could not overcome the Spirit-given wisdom with which he spoke.
Acts 6:10 shows that Stephen’s speech was not merely clever argumentation. The Lord was bearing witness through him by wisdom empowered by the Holy Spirit, so that those resisting him could not truly answer him.
What Makes This Verse Confusing?
This phrase joins Stephen’s wise speech directly to the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence. His opponents were not simply outmatched intellectually; they were encountering Spirit-given testimony. The “wisdom” is the clarity, truth, and force of what Stephen said, and “the Spirit” is the divine source by whom he spoke.
The text does not specify whether “wisdom” and “Spirit” are two separate qualities in Stephen or whether the wisdom is itself the result of the Spirit’s work. The phrase compresses both the content of Stephen’s speech and the divine power behind it.
This changes the verse from “Stephen won a debate” to “God was speaking through His servant in such a way that resistance could not prevail.”
Original Language
to oppose — ἀνθ-ίοτημι (ἀντί, ἵστημι), [in LXX for עָמַד, יָצַב, etc. ;] __1. in pres., impf., fut. and 1 aor. act., causal, to set against. __2. In mid, and pass., also pf. and 2 aor. act., to withstand, resist, oppose : with dative, Mat.5:39 , Luk.21:15 , Act.6:10 13:8 , Rom.9:19 13:2 , Gal.2:11 , Eph.6:13 , 2Ti.3:8 4:15 , Jas.4:7 , 1Pe.5:9 .† (AS)
The word translated “withstand” carries the sense of standing against or resisting. Stephen’s opponents were actively opposing him, but they lacked the strength to stand their ground against the Spirit-filled truth he proclaimed.
wisdom — σοφία , -ας, ἡ [in LXX chiefly for חׇכְמָה ;] skill, intelligence, wisdom , ranging from knowledge of the arts and matters of daily life to mental excellence in its highest and fullest sense; __(a) of human wisdom : 1Co.2:1 2:4-5 , Jas.3:15 , Rev.13:18 17:9 ; σ. Σολομῶνος, Mat.12:42 , Luk.11:31 ; Αἰγυπτίων, Act.7:22; Ἕλληνες σ. ζητοῦσιν, 1Co.1:22; σ. λόγου, 1Co.1:17; τ. σοφῶν, 1Co.1:19 (LXX); τ. κ…
“Wisdom” here is not merely intelligence or rhetorical skill. In Acts, Spirit-filled wisdom is the God-given ability to speak and act in line with His truth, as Stephen had already been chosen as a man “full of the Spirit and of wisdom” in Acts 6:3.
spirit/breath: spirit — πνεῦμα , -τος, τό, [in LXX chiefly and very frequently for רוּחַ ;] __1. of air in motion ; __(a) wind : Jhn.3:8; pl., Heb.1:7 (LXX); __(b) breath : π. ζωῆς, Rev.11:11; π. τοῦ στόματος, figuratively, 2Th.2:8 (cf. Ps 32 (33)6). __2. Of the vital principle, the spirit (Arist., Polyb., al.): Luk.8:55 , Jhn.19:30 , Act.7:59 , al.; opposite to σάρξ, Mat.26:41 , Mrk.14:38 , 1Co.5:5 , al.; to σῶμα, Rom.8…
“Spirit” points to the Holy Spirit as the living divine source of Stephen’s witness. The verse honors not Stephen’s natural brilliance, but the presence and power of God speaking through him.
Lexicon & word tagging: STEP Bible (Tyndale House, STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0)
Related Passages
Luke 21:15
fulfillmentJesus promised His disciples, “I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.” Acts 6:10 shows that promise being displayed in Stephen.
Matthew 10:19-20
parallelJesus taught that when His servants are brought before hostile authorities, they need not fear, because “the Spirit of your Father” will speak through them.
1 Corinthians 2:4
parallelPaul says his preaching was not in persuasive human wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.
John 7:46
BackgroundLuke 12:11-12
BackgroundJob 32:8
BackgroundExodus 4:12
BackgroundEzekiel 3:27
BackgroundCross-references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · openbible.info (CC-BY)
Key Takeaway
Stephen’s opponents could argue with the man, but they could not overcome the Spirit of God speaking through him.
Spirit-filled wisdom does not merely win arguments; it bears witness to the living Christ.“
Analysis generated on August 30, 2026 · version 2.0
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