Atos 11
Oecumenius
Atos 11:1-18
Peter showed in his defense that he had by no means been the cause, but God everywhere. For he said, he himself set me in the excess of mind, he himself pointed out the sheet, and I indeed even contradicted; again the same he himself said, and I did not hear therefore. The Spirit commanded that I should join them, and having joined I did not even run on therefore. They said that God had sent, and I did not so baptize, but again God accomplished the whole matter. God baptized, not I. For while I was yet speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon those men, and they spoke in tongues. They glorified God loudly, as do we. [CHRYSOSTOM] — Commentary on Acts
Atos 11:20
"to the Hellenists." Perhaps because they did not know Hebrew, they called them Greeks. [CHRYSOSTOM] — Commentary on Acts
Atos 11:21
They then also spoke to them, proclaiming the Lord Jesus, and they all believed, for, he says, the hand of the Lord was with them; that is, they were performing signs. For it was necessary that signs be done in order that they might believe. [CHRYSOSTOM] — Commentary on Acts
Atos 11:24
Why do they not write to Paul, but send Barnabas? Because they did not yet know the man's excellence. This does not contradict the saying, "No one is good but God." (Mark 10:18) For it is not the same for God to be good in essence and for a man to be good. For God exists as good in essence, being the principle and source of goods; whereas a man is not good in essence, but possesses goodness by a participation of virtue. He is not simply good, but a good man. To this also belong the expressions "a good man" (Matt. 12:35) and "Well done, good and faithful servant," (Matt. 25:21 and 23) and similar phrases. [CHRYSOSTOM] — Commentary on Acts
Atos 11:27-28
There is nothing contrary to this in what the Lord said, "The law and the prophets" up to John. (Matt. 2:12) For this concerns those prophets who proclaimed his coming beforehand. So that they would not think the famine occurred because of this, that Christianity had arrived, the Holy Spirit foretold it beforehand. And Christ himself also said this (see Matt. 24:7), not because it was necessary that this happen from the beginning, but because of the evils that befell the apostles. And God was patient; but when the time came, a great famine occurred, announcing the evils that would come upon the Jews. And if it was on their account, it was nevertheless fitting that even those present should cease. For it would have been better if they had prospered, since they committed their own deeds: they murdered, punished, scourged, and everywhere persecuted. Therefore the famine occurred, even if the wretched people did not understand, and Christians shared in their suffering because of this. It should be noted that the apostles also had the rank of elders. And elsewhere it is noted in other chapters that they had the order of deacons and bishops. [CHRYSOSTOM] — Commentary on Acts