Bede : There was a complaint of the Greeks against the Hebrews. The cause of the complaint was that the Hebrews preferred their widows, as supposedly more learned, in the ministry over the widows of the Greeks. — Commentary on Acts John 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." Not absolutely in those immediate days; for it is the custom of Scripture to speak of things next about to happen, as taking place in immediate succession. But by "Hellenists" I suppose he means those who spoke Greek "against the Hebrews": for they did not use the Greek language. Behold another trial! observe how from within and from without there are warrings, from the very first! And this comes of the multitude: for it is impossible to have strict order in a multitude. — Homily on Acts 14 John Chrysostom : "There arose a murmuring against the Hebrews" for that description of people seemed to be more honorable, "because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration." So then there was a daily ministration for the widows. And observe how he calls it a "ministration," and not directly alms: extolling by this at once the doers, and those to whom it was done. "Were neglected." This did not arise from malice, but perhaps from the carelessness of the multitude. And therefore he brought it forward openly, for this was no small evil. Observe, how even in the beginning the evils came not only from without, but also from within. For you must not look to this only, that it was set to rights, but observe that it was a great evil that it existed. — Homily on Acts 14 Oecumenius : Not on the same days, but on certain following ones. Yet, intending to begin the narration in the manner of Scripture, he proceeds in this way even now. He calls those speaking Greek not the religion, but those as Greek speakers. And by the murmuring he proclaims a kind of temptation, not from outside, but from within. For this shows the tested nature of the apostles, borne through being opposed on all sides. For when the twelve called together the multitude, and those about to enjoy the benefit of the appointed service, they allow them the choice, deeming themselves unworthy and occupied with serving tables, having neglected the word according to God. Therefore they laid hands on those chosen as deacons, not according to the present rank in the churches, but in order to distribute with precision to orphans and widows the provisions for their maintenance and not carelessly, and especially to widows and orphans because of whom the complaint is greatest. He calls charity a ministry, since it both cared for those who performed it and honored those who were benefited. It was not wickedness that made them overlook the widows, but the laziness of the many. Therefore, having been deemed worthy of concern, the thing that gave sorrow was stopped. So too the public service. For he wishes to make clear the meaning of the word ministry [διακονίας]. For the Greeks call the public treasury a Λήῖτον, insofar as anyone hastens to it to contribute, whether from ambition or from means, toward a common provision. [CHRYSOSTOM] — Commentary on Acts Shepherd of Hermas : And they who believed from the ninth mountain, which was deserted, and had in it creeping things and wild beasts which destroy men, were the following: they who had the stains as servants, who discharged their duty ill, and who plundered widows and orphans of their livelihood. — Shepherd of Hermas, Similitude 9 Tertullian : A brother heretic emerged in Nicolaus. He was one of the seven deacons who were appointed in the Acts of the Apostles. He affirms that Darkness was seized with a concupiscence-and, indeed, a foul and obscene one-after Light: out of this permixture it is a shame to say what fetid and unclean (combinations arose). — Pseudo-Tertullian Against All Heresies