The Full Study of Dorcas
DORCAS – FULL OF GOOD WORKS.
BIBLE SOURCE: Acts 9: 36-42
BACKGROUND:
Dorcas’ name meaning in Aramaic was Tabitha, but in Greek it was Dorcas, which means "antelope" or "gazelle" – a very graceful animal.
The Bible is silent concerning the genealogy of Dorcas. She is the only named woman in Scripture who is specifically called a “disciple”. The story of Dorcas, which forms the subject of this study, has been an inspiration to thousands. It is packed full of valuable lessons, all of which are important and some of which need particular emphasis in these days. Dorcas lived in Joppa, a town situated on the shore of the Mediterranean, which at that time was the chief seaport of Palestine – compare Jonah 1:3 and Acts 10:5-8. She was associated with a little band of Christians, most of whom were poor. There was a Christian church at Joppa, and it is possible that the believers met for worship in Dorcas' home, which in those early days was the custom – look up Acts 12:12 and Romans 16:5.
SUMMARY OF THE STORY
DORCAS/TABITHA DIES AND SHE IS MOURNED – Acts 9:36-37
Dorcas seems to have been a well-off widow living in the coastal city of Joppa. The original Greek text describes this widow-woman as 'mathetria', a female disciple - the only time the New Testament uses this word. So immediately we know she is a woman of good repute. She is always portrayed as a holy woman, and also sounds like one of those accommodating, good-natured women who are so generous-hearted that they are loved by all. This is reinforced by the next thing we learn about her: she spends her time doing good works and 'acts of charity'. She is therefore an admired member of the community, esteemed by all.
She becomes ill and dies. Her illness is unspecified, but we may assume she was nursed by her friends and family; there was nothing corresponding to a hospital or medical center at that time. Sick people were cared for, and treated, within their own home, by their friends and family.
When
BIBLE SOURCE: Acts 9: 36-42
BACKGROUND:
Dorcas’ name meaning in Aramaic was Tabitha, but in Greek it was Dorcas, which means "antelope" or "gazelle" – a very graceful animal.
The Bible is silent concerning the genealogy of Dorcas. She is the only named woman in Scripture who is specifically called a “disciple”. The story of Dorcas, which forms the subject of this study, has been an inspiration to thousands. It is packed full of valuable lessons, all of which are important and some of which need particular emphasis in these days. Dorcas lived in Joppa, a town situated on the shore of the Mediterranean, which at that time was the chief seaport of Palestine – compare Jonah 1:3 and Acts 10:5-8. She was associated with a little band of Christians, most of whom were poor. There was a Christian church at Joppa, and it is possible that the believers met for worship in Dorcas' home, which in those early days was the custom – look up Acts 12:12 and Romans 16:5.
SUMMARY OF THE STORY
DORCAS/TABITHA DIES AND SHE IS MOURNED – Acts 9:36-37
Dorcas seems to have been a well-off widow living in the coastal city of Joppa. The original Greek text describes this widow-woman as 'mathetria', a female disciple - the only time the New Testament uses this word. So immediately we know she is a woman of good repute. She is always portrayed as a holy woman, and also sounds like one of those accommodating, good-natured women who are so generous-hearted that they are loved by all. This is reinforced by the next thing we learn about her: she spends her time doing good works and 'acts of charity'. She is therefore an admired member of the community, esteemed by all.
She becomes ill and dies. Her illness is unspecified, but we may assume she was nursed by her friends and family; there was nothing corresponding to a hospital or medical center at that time. Sick people were cared for, and treated, within their own home, by their friends and family.
When