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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Acts 7:55 - 7:55
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Act 7:55. Πλήρης, full) As the fury of his enemies increases, the strength of spirit in Stephen increases, as also every fruit of the Spirit.-ἀτενίσας, having looked stedfastly) By an earnest look to heaven, the mind of those dying by a violent death may be raised up.-εἶδε, he saw) Jesus is not said to have addressed Stephen.-δόξαν Θεοῦ, the glory of God) the ineffable splendour which shines forth in the third heaven.-ἐστῶτα, standing) as if to meet Stephen. Comp. Act 7:59. For everywhere else he is said to sit. Arator well writes,-
“Lumina cordis habens cœlos conspexit apertos
Ne lateat, quid Christus aget: pro martyre surgit.
Quem tunc stare videt, confessio nostra sedentem
Cum soleat celebrare magis. Caro juncta Tonanti
In Stephano favet ipsa sibi: Dux præscius armat
Quos ad dona vocat.”
“By the light that shone into his heart he beheld the heavens opened, so that it does not escape his glance what Christ is doing there: He rises for the martyr, whom the latter at that time sees standing; whereas our confession (creed) is wont rather to celebrate Him as sitting. The flesh itself, assumed by the Thunderer, favours, in the case of Stephen, its own self. The prescient Captain of our salvation arms those, whom He calls to gifts.”