“Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.”
In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, translated, is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.—Tabitha/Dorcas ('gazelle' in both Aramaic and Greek) is the only female disciple granted major narrative attention in Acts; her deeds of mercy define her discipleship. The bilingual naming (Aramaic and Greek) suggests either her mixed cultural background or the early church's code-switching. Her works of charity (erga agathā, 'good works') embody James's definition of religion: caring for orphans and widows (James 1:27).
Church Fathers on Acts 9:36
Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was near to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Acts 9:36-38. Why…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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