ACC ~ Acts 6 v1

DIFFICULTIES FROM WITHOUT AND WITHIN. CHRYSOSTOM: “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.” It was not absolutely in those immediate days, for it is the custom of Scripture to speak of things that are about to happen as taking place in immediate succession. But by “Hellenists” I suppose he means those who spoke Greek, for these, being Hebrew, spoke Greek. Behold another trial! Observe how from within and from without there are warrings, from the very first! “Then,” it says, “the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them, and said, It is reasonable that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.” Well said: for the needful must give precedence to the more needful. But see, how they take thought directly for these inferior matters and yet do not neglect the preaching. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 14.

UNEQUAL TREATMENT OF WIDOWS. BEDE: The cause of this grumbling was the fact that the Hebrews gave preferential treatment in the ministry to their own widows, inasmuch as they were more fully instructed, over the widows of the Hellenists. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 6.1.

Acts