Fathers

Acts 6

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And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

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What the Fathers say

Acts 6:3

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business." And so here they showed the necessity; and they did it not sooner, but waited till the murmuring arose; nor, on the other hand, did they suffer this to spread far. And, lo! they leave the decision to them: those who pleased all, those who of all were honestly reputed, them they present: not now twelve, but "seven, full of the Spirit and of wisdom: well reported of" for their conversation. …

Homily on Acts 14 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

"Choose from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom." The writer calls them not simply spiritual, but full of the Spirit and wisdom, because receiving the complaints of widows was a matter of the greatest wisdom.

Commentary on Acts ↗

Oecumenius

They remained filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom, the appeal of the apostles required those who were to be chosen. For it is not for anyone to bear the curse of orphans and widows, nor of those who consume and devour them. For although he may not have been a thief, yet through sloth and his own negligence losing everything, or rashly perverting whatever he meets, they would bring no benefit to the office, nothing from the toleration of nothings, which is the greatest sign of wisdom.

Commentary on Acts ↗

Western Saints

Bede

Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, etc. Hence the apostles, or the successors of the apostles, have now decreed that throughout all the Churches there should be seven deacons who are of higher rank than the others, and who stand near the altar like columns of the altar, not without some mystery of the number seven.

Commentary on Acts ↗

Bonaventure

Those who are placed in charge of governing others ought to have mercy. "Consider therefore, brethren, from among you men of good testimony, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this work" of distribution. He would not be a wise steward who would steal the goods of God. …

Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 9 ↗

Victorinus of Pettau

Behold the seven horns of the Lamb, the seven eyes of God -the seven eyes are the seven spirits of the Lamb; seven torches burning before the throne of God seven golden candlesticks, seven young sheep, the seven women in Isaiah, the seven churches in Paul, seven deacons, seven angels, seven trumpets, seven seals to the book, seven periods of seven days with which Pentecost is completed, the seven weeks in Daniel, also the forty-three weeks in Daniel; with Noah, seven of all clean things in the ark; seven revenges of Cain, seven years …

On the Creation of the World ↗