The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 2. And serve tables. The apostles did not judge it proper for them to be so much employed in managing that common stock, out of which every one, as they stood in need, were supplied, as to meat, and all other necessities: this took up too much of their time, which might be better employed in preaching, and so forth Witham.—Word of God. The most essential duty of an apostle and bishop, is to announce the word of God. Saint Paul would not even baptize, lest it should be a prejudice to the performance of this great duty, for which he had been sent. Many think, that this ministry of the tables, here signifies, not only the distribution of corporal nourishment, but the dispensing of the holy Eucharist. As sacred and divine as was this latter duty, the apostles preferred before it, their obligation of preaching. Calmet.