Atos 6
Theophylact of Ohrid
Atos 6:1
Not on the very same days when the Angel freed the apostles from prison, but several days after those — such a turn of speech is customary for Scripture. And by Hellenists, in my opinion, he means those who spoke Greek. So, the ministry to the widows was a daily matter. He calls the work of almsgiving a ministry. The neglect of the widows arose not from bad qualities, but from the carelessness of the people. Therefore, as soon as the care for them was proposed to the people, their sorrow also ceased. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 6:2
Not the apostles themselves choose, but they leave the choice to the people, who were to receive the benefit from the service of the deacons; it is they who choose and appoint. "It is not right for us, having left the word of God, to serve tables." Because what is necessary should be preferred to what is not necessary. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 6:3
"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
Atos 6:6
"Having prayed, they laid hands on them." See how Luke is brief: he does not say how they were ordained, but says only that they were ordained with prayer. A hand is laid upon a man — this is what ordination consists of, but God accomplishes everything. What kind of ordination did these seven men receive? Was it the diaconate? They were ordained precisely for this work, that is, for providing the faithful with necessary supplies. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 6:7
"The number of the disciples was greatly multiplied in Jerusalem." He did not simply state this, but did so in such a way as to show how great is the power of almsgiving and of this institution of deacons. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 6:8
Look how out of seven one was preferred over the rest: although the ordination was common to all, yet this one acquired greater grace. Turn your gaze also to the fact that before this time he did not work miracles, but began to work miracles when he became known as chosen and ordained, to show that grace alone is not sufficient, but ordination is also necessary. Thus, through ordination an increase of the Spirit was imparted, because even before the ordination, at the election, he was testified of as being full of the Spirit, but the gifts of the Spirit are diverse. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 6:9-10
"They entered into a dispute with Stephen." In irritation and anger they argue in order to force him to say something. And he, perhaps, was speaking very openly and was talking about the cessation of the law, or rather, he was not speaking directly but hinting, because if he had spoken clearly, these "certain ones" would have had no need for false witnesses. But notice: he does not take upon himself the right to teach, but is compelled to do so by those who argue with him. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 6:11
"Then they suborned certain men to say." The disputants do not testify themselves — because they would immediately be exposed as slandering Stephen out of envy — but they bribe others, so that the matter would not be considered unjust — because they did not fear God, defiling themselves with murder, but turned their gaze to the opinion of men. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 6:13-14
"And they set up false witnesses, who said." Everywhere false testimony. They did not wish to kill simply, but by verdict, calculating that by this they would undermine the good reputation of those whom they were killing. They did not say of Stephen: "he speaks," but — "he does not cease. For we have heard him say that Jesus the Nazarene" ("Nazarene" is said as a reproach) "will destroy this place." This was also said about Christ: "He who destroys the temple" (Matt. 27:40). Great was the fear among them for the church, but the accusation was twofold — the accusation that he intended to change the customs, and that he intended to introduce other customs. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 6:15
"All who sat in the council, looking at him, saw his face as the face of an Angel." God made Stephen pleasant; since he still had something to say, in order to immediately strike them with his appearance, God illumined his face, because even toward the faces of people filled with spiritual grace, those who love them regard them with longing, and enemies with reverence. — Commentary on Acts