And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
Ver. 29. And he spake boldly] The soul, by the witness of the Spirit, finds increase of spiritual mettle, and is steeled against opposition.
Disputed against the Grecians] These had been St Stephen's greatest adversaries, Acts 6:1; Acts 6:9, and then Saul was very forward to join with them. Now that he was turned Christian, they sought his death, having first given out (as Epiphanius testifieth) that he turned merely out of discontent, because he could not obtain to wife the high priest's daughter. Truth (saith one) hath always a scratched face. The devil was first a liar, and then a murderer. Those that kill a dog (saith the French proverb) make the world believe he was mad first. The credit of the Church must first to be taken away, and then she is wounded,Song of Solomon 5:6. Before the French massacre, it was given out that the Huguenots in their nightmeetings committed most abominable uncleannesses.