Acts 9:39
Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
Peter left Lydda for nearby Joppa after believers there heard of his cures at Lydda and sent messengers asking him to come because Tabitha lay dead, and when he arrived he was brought into the upper chamber. Tabitha, which by interpretation is Dorcas, lived at Joppa as a greatly beloved and worthy disciple of Jesus whose life was filled with charity and kindness to the poor and sorrowful and with zeal for the truth. Her skillful fingers were more active than her tongue, and she freely ministered to the wants of both body and heart, knowing who needed comfortable clothing and who needed sympathy.
After her death all the widows stood by Peter weeping and showing the coats and garments Dorcas had made while she was with them and living among them. Those displayed garments were the work of her free ministry to the poor and sorrowful and stood as visible evidence of her noble and practical care. Their grief and the clothing she had made showed how her charitable work had benefited the community and how deeply her death was felt.
Her death was a great loss that the infant church could hardly spare, and the weeping and tears over her testified to how deeply she was loved and valued. Peter sent the mourners out of the chamber, prayed, and called her to rise, and she returned to life. She was of so great value that by the power of God she was brought back from the land of the enemy, that her skill and energy might still be a blessing to others and she could continue making garments for the poor. Her restoration led many in Joppa to believe in Jesus.
Her patient, prayerful, and persevering fidelity and everyday sewing work remain the pattern for the Dorcas line of practical charity in supplying clothing and relief to the needy. That work of supplying clothing and relief can be continued as long as time shall last, for there will always be work to be done without end and very little to show for it. God honors such everyday labor, and her faithful example is needed in the church, the Sabbath school, and society.