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Text -- Acts 10:34 (NET)

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Context
10:34 Then Peter started speaking: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism in dealing with people,
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Names, People and Places:
 · Peter a man who was a leader among the twelve apostles and wrote the two epistles of Peter


Dictionary Themes and Topics: SIGN | Respect of Persons | Peter | Paul | PREACHER; PREACHING | PETER, THE FIRST EPISTLE OF | PETER, SIMON | PERSON, PERSONALITY | PAUL, THE APOSTLE, 5 | MARK, THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO, 2 | MARK, THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO, 1 | LAW IN THE NEW TESTAMENT | Heathen | God | FORGIVENESS | Cornelius | Converts | CHURCH | CAESAREA | ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, 13-OUTLINE | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , Defender , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , Combined Bible , Maclaren , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College , McGarvey

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: Act 10:34 - -- Opened his mouth ( anoixas to stoma ). Solemn formula for beginning his address (Act 8:35; Act 18:14; Mat 5:2; Mat 13:35). But also good elocution fo...

Opened his mouth ( anoixas to stoma ).

Solemn formula for beginning his address (Act 8:35; Act 18:14; Mat 5:2; Mat 13:35). But also good elocution for the speaker.

Robertson: Act 10:34 - -- I perceive ( katalambanomai ). Aoristic present middle of katalambanō , to take hold of, the middle noting mental action, to lay hold with the mind...

I perceive ( katalambanomai ).

Aoristic present middle of katalambanō , to take hold of, the middle noting mental action, to lay hold with the mind (Act 4:13; Act 10:34; Act 25:25; Eph 3:18). It had been a difficult thing for Peter to grasp, but now "of a truth"(ep' alētheias ) the light has cleared away the fogs. It was not until Peter had crossed the threshold of the house of Cornelius in the new environment and standpoint that he sees this new and great truth.

Robertson: Act 10:34 - -- Respecter of persons ( prosōpolēmptēs ). This compound occurs only here and in Chrysostom. It is composed of prosōpon face or person (pros ...

Respecter of persons ( prosōpolēmptēs ).

This compound occurs only here and in Chrysostom. It is composed of prosōpon face or person (pros and ops , before the eye or face) and lambanō . The abstract form prosōpolēmpsia occurs in Jam 2:1 (also Rom 2:11; Eph 6:9; Col 3:25) and the verb prosōpolempteō in Jam 2:9. The separate phrase (lambanein prosōpon ) occurs in Luk 20:21; Gal 2:6. The phrase was already in the lxx (Deuteronomy 10:17; 2 Chronicles 19:7; Ps 82:6). Luke has simply combined the two words into one compound one. The idea is to pay regard to one’ s looks or circumstances rather than to his intrinsic character. The Jews had come to feel that they were the favourites of God and actually sons of the kingdom of heaven because they were descendants of Abraham. John the Baptist rebuked them for this fallacy.

Vincent: Act 10:34 - -- I perceive See on Act 4:13.

I perceive

See on Act 4:13.

Vincent: Act 10:34 - -- Respecter of persons ( προσωπολήμπτης ) See on respect of persons, Jam 2:1. Only here in New Testament.

Respecter of persons ( προσωπολήμπτης )

See on respect of persons, Jam 2:1. Only here in New Testament.

Wesley: Act 10:34 - -- More clearly than ever, from such a concurrence of circumstances.

More clearly than ever, from such a concurrence of circumstances.

Wesley: Act 10:34 - -- Is not partial in his love. The words mean, in a particular sense, that he does not confine his love to one nation; in a general, that he is loving to...

Is not partial in his love. The words mean, in a particular sense, that he does not confine his love to one nation; in a general, that he is loving to every man, and willeth all men should be saved.

JFB: Act 10:34-35 - -- (See on Mat 5:2).

(See on Mat 5:2).

JFB: Act 10:34-35 - -- That is, "I have it now demonstrated before mine eyes."

That is, "I have it now demonstrated before mine eyes."

JFB: Act 10:34-35 - -- Not, "I see there is no capricious favoritism with God," for Peter would never imagine such a thing; but (as the next clause shows), "I see that God h...

Not, "I see there is no capricious favoritism with God," for Peter would never imagine such a thing; but (as the next clause shows), "I see that God has respect only to personal character and state in the acceptance of men, national and ecclesiastical distinctions being of no account."

Clarke: Act 10:34 - -- God is no respecter of persons - He does God esteem a Jew, because he is a Jew; nor does he detest a Gentile because he is a Gentile. It was a long ...

God is no respecter of persons - He does God esteem a Jew, because he is a Jew; nor does he detest a Gentile because he is a Gentile. It was a long and deeply rooted opinion among the Jews, that God never would extend his favor to the Gentiles; and that the descendants of Jacob only should enjoy his peculiar favor and benediction. Of this opinion was St. Peter, previously to the heavenly vision mentioned in this chapter. He was now convinced that God was no respecter of persons; that as all must stand before his judgment seat, to be judged according to the deeds done in the body, so no one nation, or people, or individual, could expect to find a more favorable decision than another who was precisely in the same moral state; for the phrase, respect of persons, is used in reference to unjust decisions in a court of justice, where, through favor, or interest, or bribe, a culprit is acquitted, and a righteous or innocent person condemned. See Lev 19:15; Deu 1:16, Deu 1:17; Deu 16:19. And as there is no iniquity (decisions contrary to equity) with God, so he could not shut out the pious prayers, sincere fasting, and benevolent alms-giving of Cornelius; because the very spring whence they proceeded was his own grace and mercy. Therefore he could not receive even a Jew into his favor (in preference to such a person) who had either abused his grace, or made a less godly use of it than this Gentile had done.

Calvin: Act 10:34 - -- 34.Opening his mouth We have already said, that the Scripture useth this phrase when it doth signify that there was any grave or weighty oration or s...

34.Opening his mouth We have already said, that the Scripture useth this phrase when it doth signify that there was any grave or weighty oration or speech made. In the fifth of Matthew, (Mat 5:1,) it is said that Jesus opened his mouth when he would preach to his disciples, and intreat of most weighty matters, as if a man should say in Latin, he began to speak, having first well bethought himself what he would speak.

In truth I find Καταλαμβανεσθαι is to apprehend, or to gather by reasons, signs, and conjectures. Cornelius was a Gentile born, yet God heareth his prayers; he vouchsafeth to show him the light of the gospel; he appointed and sendeth an angel to him particularly; thereby doth Peter know that, without respect of persons, those do please God which live godly and innocently. For before, (being wholly possessed with this prejudice, that the Jews alone were beloved of God, as they alone were chosen out of all people,) [nations,] he did not think that the grace of God could come unto others. He was not, indeed, so gross that he thought that godliness and innocency of life were condemned because they were in a man that was a Gentile; but, seeing he did simply snatch at that, 696 that all those were estranged from the kingdom of God, and were profane, which were uncircumcised, he entangleth himself unawares in that so filthy an error, that God did despise his pure worship and an holy life, where there was no circumcision; because uncircumcision made all virtues unsavory to the Jews. By which example, we are taught how greatly we ought to beware of prejudices, which make us oftentimes judge amiss.

Furthermore, we must note what the word person doth signify, because many are thereby deceived, whilst that they expound it generally, that one man is preferred before another. So Pelagius denied in times past that some are chosen and some are [re]proved 697 of God; because God did not accept persons. But by this word we must understand the external state or appearance, as they call it; and whatsoever is about man himself, which doth either bring him in favor, or cause him to be hated; riches, nobility, multitude of servants, honor, do make a man to be in great favor; poverty, baseness of lineage, and such like things, make him to be despised. In this respect, the Lord doth oftentimes forbid the accepting of persons, because men cannot judge aright so often as external respects do lead them away from the matter. 698 In this place, it is referred unto the nation; and the meaning is, that circumcision is no let, but that God may allow 699 righteousness in a man that is a Gentile. But it shall seem by this means that God did respect persons for a time. For, when as he did choose the Jews to be his people, passing over the Gentiles, did he not respect persons? I answer, that the cause of this difference ought not to be sought in the persons of men, but it doth wholly depend upon the hidden counsel of God. For, in that he rather adopted Abraham, that with him he might make his covenant, than the Egyptians, he did not this being moved with any external respect, but (all) the whole cause remained in his wonderful counsel. Therefore, God was never tied to persons.

Notwithstanding, the doubt is not as yet dissolved, 700 because it cannot be denied but that circumcision did please God, so that he counted him one of his people who had that token of sanctification. But we may easily answer this also that circumcision followed after the grace of God, forasmuch as it was a seal thereof. Whereupon it followeth that it was no cause thereof. Nevertheless, it was unto the Jews a pledge of free adoption; in such sort, that uncircumcision did not hinder God, but that he might admit what Gentiles he would unto the society of the same salvation. But the coming of Christ had this new and especial thing, that after that the wall of separation was pulled down, (Eph 2:14,) God did embrace the whole world generally. And this do the words in every nation import. For so long as Abraham’s seed was the holy inheritance of God, the Gentiles might seem to be quite banished from his kingdom; but when Christ was given to be a light of the Gentiles, the covenant of eternal life began to be common to all alike.

Defender: Act 10:34 - -- This principle is frequently stressed in Scripture (2Ch 19:7; Rom 2:11; Col 3:25). Sometimes the reference is to personal wealth or position; here it ...

This principle is frequently stressed in Scripture (2Ch 19:7; Rom 2:11; Col 3:25). Sometimes the reference is to personal wealth or position; here it refers to the relation between Jews and Gentiles. Before our Creator, "there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free" (Col 3:11)."

TSK: Act 10:34 - -- opened : Act 8:35; Mat 5:2; Eph 6:19, Eph 6:20 Of a : Deu 10:17, Deu 16:19; 2Ch 19:7; Job 34:19; Psa 82:1, Psa 82:2; Mat 22:16; Luk 20:21; Rom 2:11; G...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Act 10:34 - -- Then Peter opened his mouth - Began to speak, Mat 5:2. Of a truth - Truly, evidently. That is, I have evidence here that God is no respec...

Then Peter opened his mouth - Began to speak, Mat 5:2.

Of a truth - Truly, evidently. That is, I have evidence here that God is no respecter of persons.

Is no respecter of persons - The word used here denotes "the act of showing favor to one on account of rank, family, wealth, or partiality arising from any cause."It is explained in Jam 2:1-4. A judge is a respecter of persons when he favors one of the parties on account of private friendship, or because he is a man of rank, influence, or power, or because he belongs to the same political party, etc. The Jews supposed that they were especially favored by God. and that salvation was not extended to other nations, and that the fact of being a Jew entitled them to this favor. Peter here says that he had learned the error of this doctrine, and that a man is not to be accepted because he is a Jew, nor to be excluded because he is a Gentile. The barrier is broken down; the offer is made to all; God will save all on the same principle; not by external privileges or rank, but according to their character.

The same doctrine is elsewhere explicitly stated in the New Testament, Rom 2:11; Eph 6:9; Col 3:25. It may be observed here that this does not refer to the doctrine of divine sovereignty or election. It simply affirms that God will not save a man because he is a Jew, or because he is rich, or learned, or of elevated rank, or on account of external privileges; nor will he exclude a man because he is destitute of these privileges. But this does not affirm that he will not make a difference in their character, and then treat them according to their character, nor that he will not pardon whom he pleases. That is a different question. The interpretation of this passage should be limited strictly to the case in hand - to mean that God will not accept and save a man on account of external national rank and privileges. That he will not make a difference on other grounds is not affirmed here, nor anywhere in the Bible. Compare 1Co 4:7; Rom 12:6. It is worthy of remark further, that the most strenuous advocate for the doctrines of sovereignty and election - the apostle Paul - is also the one that labored most to establish the doctrine that God is no respecter of persons - that is, that there is no difference between the Jews and Gentiles in regard to the way of salvation; that God would not save a man because he was a Jew, nor destroy a man because he was a Gentile. Yet in regard to "the whole race viewed as lying on a level,"he maintained that God has a right to exercise the prerogatives of a sovereign, and to have mercy on whom he will have mercy. The doctrine may be thus stated:

(1) The barrier between the Jews and Gentiles was broken down.

\caps1 (2) a\caps0 ll people thus were placed on a level none to be saved by external privileges, none to be lost by the lack of them.

\caps1 (3) a\caps0 ll were guilty Rom. 1\endash 3, and none had a claim on God.

\caps1 (4) i\caps0 f any were saved, it would be by God showing mercy on such of this common mass as he chose. See Rom 3:22; Rom 10:12; Rom 2:11; Gal 2:6; compare with Rom. 9; and Eph. 1:

Poole: Act 10:34 - -- Opened his mouth an expression used (as formerly) in matters of great moment, as Mat 5:2 . God is no respecter of persons God does not accept of on...

Opened his mouth an expression used (as formerly) in matters of great moment, as Mat 5:2 .

God is no respecter of persons God does not accept of one because he is a Jew, and respect another because he is a Gentile; though St. Paul, being prejudiced by his education, had been carried along with that error of the Jews; against which, notwithstanding, God had declared himself even unto them, Deu 10:17 , which is also confirmed unto us in the New Testament, Rom 2:11 1Pe 1:17 : so that our being of any nation or any condition, rich or poor, honoured or despised, on the one side recommends us not unto God, and on the other side it will not hinder us from being accepted with the Lord.

Gill: Act 10:34 - -- Then Peter opened his mouth,.... See Gill on Act 8:35. And said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; which is to be understo...

Then Peter opened his mouth,.... See Gill on Act 8:35.

And said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; which is to be understood, not of the substances of men, but of the outward state and condition, circumstances and qualities of men; he respects the proper persons of men themselves, but not because of their outward appearances; he does not prefer or despise men, because of their being of this or the other nation, as Jews or Gentiles; or because they are circumcised, or not circumcised; or because they are high or low, rich or poor, free or bound, or the like: the true sense here is, that God valued no man the more, because he was a Jew and circumcised, nor anyone the less, because he was a Gentile and uncircumcised; and this the apostle found to be a most certain truth, of which he was fully persuaded; partly by the vision which he himself saw, and partly by that which Cornelius had, and which the more confirmed him in this matter: these words do not at all militate against the doctrines of personal election and reprobation; and indeed, those acts in God, are not according to the outward state and condition of men, or any circumstances that attend them, or any qualities they have, internal or external; but entirely proceed from the sovereign will of God; See Gill on Rom 2:11

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Act 10:34 Grk “God is not one who is a respecter of persons,” that is, “God is not one to show partiality” (cf. BDAG 887 s.v. π`...

Geneva Bible: Act 10:34 ( 6 ) Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that ( n ) God is no respecter of persons: ( 6 ) Distinction of nations is taken...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Act 10:1-48 - --1 Cornelius, a devout man, being commanded by an angel, sends for Peter,11 who by a vision is taught not to despise the Gentiles;17 and is commanded b...

Combined Bible: Act 10:34 - --35. The scene before Peter enlarges his conceptions of the purpose of God; for he now sees that his mission is designed not for the benefit of Corneli...

Maclaren: Act 10:30-44 - --God Is No Respecter Of Persons' And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, beh...

MHCC: Act 10:34-43 - --Acceptance cannot be obtained on any other ground than that of the covenant of mercy, through the atonement of Christ; but wherever true religion is f...

Matthew Henry: Act 10:34-43 - -- We have here Peter's sermon preached to Cornelius and his friends: that is, an abstract or summary of it; for we have reason to think that he did wi...

Barclay: Act 10:34-43 - --It is clear that we have here but the barest summary of what Peter said to Cornelius which makes it all the more important because it gives us the ver...

Constable: Act 9:32--Rom 1:1 - --III. THE WITNESS TO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH 9:32--28:31 Luke next recorded the church's expansion beyond...

Constable: Act 9:32--12:25 - --A. The extension of the church to Syrian Antioch 9:32-12:24 As Jerusalem had been the Palestinian center...

Constable: Act 10:1--11:19 - --2. The conversion of Cornelius 10:1-11:18 The episode concerning Cornelius is obviously very imp...

Constable: Act 10:34-43 - --Peter's message to Cornelius 10:34-43 Peter's sermon on this occasion is the first sermon in Acts addressed to a Gentile audience (cf. 14:15-17; 17:22...

College: Act 10:1-48 - --ACTS 10 F. THE CONVERSION OF THE FIRST GENTILES (10:1-11:18) 1. The Ministry of Peter at Caesarea (10:1-48) The Vision Seen by Cornelius (10:1-8) ...

McGarvey: Act 10:34-35 - --34, 35. The scene before Peter enlarges his conceptions of the purpose of God; for he now sees that his mission is designed not for the benefit of Cor...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: Acts (Book Introduction) THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES By Way of Introduction But for the Acts we should know nothing of the early apostolic period save what is told in the Epi...

JFB: Acts (Book Introduction) THIS book is to the Gospels what the fruit is to the tree that bears it. In the Gospels we see the corn of wheat falling into the ground and dying: in...

JFB: Acts (Outline) INTRODUCTION--LAST DAYS OF OUR LORD UPON EARTH--HIS ASCENSION. (Act 1:1-11) RETURN OF THE ELEVEN TO JERUSALEM--PROCEEDINGS IN THE UPPER ROOM TILL PEN...

TSK: Acts (Book Introduction) The Acts of the Apostles is a most valuable portion of Divine revelation; and, independently of its universal reception in the Christian church, as an...

TSK: Acts 10 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Act 10:1, Cornelius, a devout man, being commanded by an angel, sends for Peter, Act 10:11. who by a vision is taught not to despise the ...

Poole: Acts 10 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 10

MHCC: Acts (Book Introduction) This book unites the Gospels to the Epistles. It contains many particulars concerning the apostles Peter and Paul, and of the Christian church from th...

MHCC: Acts 10 (Chapter Introduction) (Act 10:1-8) Cornelius directed to send for Peter. (Act 10:9-18) Peter's vision. (Act 10:19-33) He goes to Cornelius. (Act 10:34-43) His discourse ...

Matthew Henry: Acts (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Acts of the Apostles We have with an abundant satisfaction seen the foundation of our holy religion...

Matthew Henry: Acts 10 (Chapter Introduction) It is a turn very new and remarkable which the story of this chapter gives to the Acts of the apostles; hitherto, both at Jerusalem and every where...

Barclay: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES A Precious Book In one sense Acts is the most important book in the New Testament. It is the simple truth t...

Barclay: Acts 10 (Chapter Introduction) A Devout Soldier (Act_10:1-8) Peter Learns A Lesson (Act_10:9-16) The Meeting Of Peter And Cornelius (Act_10:17-33) The Heart Of The Gospel (Act_...

Constable: Acts (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The title "Acts of the Apostles" is very ancient. The Anti-Marcioni...

Constable: Acts (Outline) Outline I. The witness in Jerusalem 1:1-6:7 A. The founding of the church 1:1-2:46 ...

Constable: Acts Acts Bibliography Albright, William Foxwell. The Archaeology of Palestine. 1949. Revised ed. Pelican Archaeolog...

Haydock: Acts (Book Introduction) THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. INTRODUCTION. St. Luke, who had published his gospel, wrote also a second volume, which, from the first ages, hath bee...

Gill: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO ACTS This book, in some copies, is called, "The Acts of the holy Apostles". It contains an history of the ministry and miracles of ...

College: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION As early as the second century the title "The Acts of the Apostles" was given to this document. Before that time the work probably circu...

College: Acts (Outline) OUTLINE I. THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM - 1:1-8:1a A. INTRODUCTION OF THE BOOK - 1:1-3 B. THE COMMISSIONING OF THE APOSTLES - 1:4-8 C. THE ASCENSI...

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