Augustine of Hippo : One who wishes to make a place for the Lord should rejoice not in private joy but in the joy of all (gaudio communi). — EXPLANATIONS OF THE Psalms 131.5 Augustine of Hippo : If, as they drew near to God, those many souls became, in the power of love, but one soul and these many hearts but one heart, what must the very source of love effect between the Father and the Son? Is not the Trinity for even greater reasons, but one God?… If the love of God poured forth in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who is given to us, is able to make of many souls but one soul and of many hearts but one heart, how much more are the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit but one God, one Light, one Principle? — TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF John 39.5 Augustine of Hippo : First of all, because you are gathered together in one that you might live harmoniously (unanimes) and that there be one soul and one heart toward God. And you should not call anything your own, but let all things be common to you and distributed to each one of you according to need. — LETTER 211.5 John Chrysostom : Hearken too again to what Luke saith, "They did take their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people." Why, do we not see even now that the simple and guileless enjoy the common esteem of all? No one envies such an one when he is in prosperity, no one tramples upon him when he is in adversity, but all rejoice with him when he does well, and grieve with him in misfortune. Whereas whenever a bitter man fares prosperously, one and all lament it, as though some evil thing happened; but if he is unfortunate, one and all rejoice. Let us then pity them, for they have common enemies all over the world. — Homily on Ephesians 15 John Chrysostom : "And continuing daily with one accord in the temple", they enjoyed the benefit of teaching. Consider how these Jews did nothing else great or small, than assiduously attend at the temple. For, as having become more earnest, they had increased devotion also to the place. For the Apostles did not for the present pluck them away from this object, for fear of injuring them. And this honor too passed over to the place; the eating in the house. In what house? In the Temple. Observe the increase of piety: They cast away their riches, and rejoiced, and had great gladness, for greater were the riches they received without labor. — Homily on Acts 7 John Chrysostom : "And daily continuing with one accord in the temple." Since they are become three thousand, they take them abroad now: and withal, the boldness imparted by the Spirit being great: and daily they went up as to a sacred place, as frequently we find Peter and John doing this: for at present they disturbed none of the Jewish observances. — Homily on Acts 7 John Chrysostom : "And breaking bread from house to house, did take their portion of food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people." It seems to me that in mentioning "bread," he here signifies fasting and hard life; for they "took their portion of food," not of dainty fare. "With gladness," he says. Seest thou that not the dainty fare, but the food made the enjoyment. For they that fare daintily are under punishment and pain; but not so these. Do you see that the words of Peter contain this also, namely, the regulation of life? "And singleness of heart." For no gladness can exist where there is no simplicity. How had they "favor with all the people?" On account of their alms deeds. For do not look to the fact, that the chief priests for envy and spite rose up against them, but rather consider that "they had favor with the people." — Homily on Acts 7 John Chrysostom : See of how many things he bears witness to them! Genuine faith, upright conduct, perseverance in hearing, in prayers, in singleness, in cheerfulness. "Praising God." Two things there were which might deject them; their abstemious living, and the loss of their property. Yet on both these accounts did they rejoice. "And having favor with all the people." For who but must love men of this character, as common fathers? They conceived no malice toward each other; they committed all to the grace of God. "With all the people." Fear there was none; yea, though they had taken their position in the midst of dangers. — Homily on Acts 7 Oecumenius : They now call the house the sacred one; for in it they used to eat. And the phrase "breaking bread" he said so that their simple and humble sustenance of life might be revealed. For when they were breaking bread they partook of food, but did not live luxuriously. Therefore, too they regulated their life by faith, and were mutually loving with all the people. For even if the chief priests rose up against them from envy, yet they had favor with the people. This was shown by their mercy and pure conduct. And the phrase "with simplicity of heart" instead of "in humility and lowliness," not thinking anything high about the things by which they practiced good deeds and acts of mercy, which was especially Jewish, as is clear from the boasting Pharisee. (see Luke 18:10-14) — Commentary on Acts Oecumenius : And the phrase "continued daily with one accord" does not mean one day, nor two, but daily, and with one soul. The believers attended in the temple, being more earnest, and having nothing else to be zealous about out of reverence for the place, or for the sanctuary. — Commentary on Acts Philoxenus of Mabbug : Concerning those early disciples who became apostles after the Ascension of our Lord into heaven it is thus written, "They all dwelt together, and they were of one mind and of one soul, and they were breaking bread in one house, and were receiving food in rejoicing, and they were praising God in the innocency of their heart, and no man said of the possessions which he had, They are mine, for they had everything in common." Now it is manifest that such innocency as this is born of simplicity, and that their praise ascended unto God from the purity of their heart; and that they took their food together with rejoicing, the man who brought much not considering that he should eat more than the other who cast nothing into the common fund, arose from innocency of character. — 13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 4 -- On Faith: First Discourse on Simplicity