“Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,”
Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was going in and out among us — the qualifications for apostolic office are radical: personal presence throughout Jesus' ministry. Apostleship is not transferable or self-appointed but rooted in eyewitness continuity with the incarnate Christ. The phrase 'going in and out' (eiserchomai/exerchomai) is a Semitism meaning complete life-sharing and comprehensive knowledge.
Church Fathers on Acts 1:21
Wherefore it behooves of these men which have companied with us all the time. Acts 1:21 Why does he make it their business too? That the matter might not become an object of strife, and they might not fall into contention about it. For if the Apostles themselves once did this, much more might those. This he ever avoids. Wherefore at the beginning he said, Men and brethren. It behooves to choose from among you. He defers the decision to the whole body, thereby both making the…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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