Acts 10:31

And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(31) Thy prayer is heard.—The singular number gives a greater definiteness to the object of the prayer than in Acts 10:4. It must have been, in the nature of the case, a prayer for fuller light and knowledge of the Truth. One who had heard, through Philip’s work at Cæsarea, or, it may be, through the brother-officer who had been stationed at Capernaum (Luke 7:2), of the teaching and the life of Jesus, and of the new society that acknowledged Him as its Head, may well have sought for guidance as to the special conditions of admission to that society. Philip was not as yet authorised to admit one who had not taken on himself the sign of the covenant of Israel. Was that an indispensable condition?

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

10:19-33 When we see our call clear to any service, we should not be perplexed with doubts and scruples arising from prejudices or former ideas. Cornelius had called together his friends, to partake with him of the heavenly wisdom he expected from Peter. We should not covet to eat our spiritual morsels alone. It ought to be both given and taken as kindness and respect to our kindred and friends, to invite them to join us in religious exercises. Cornelius declared the direction God gave him to send for Peter. We are right in our aims in attending a gospel ministry, when we do it with regard to the Divine appointment requiring us to make use of that ordinance. How seldom ministers are called to speak to such companies, however small, in which it may be said that they are all present in the sight of God, to hear all things that are commanded of God! But these were ready to hear what Peter was commanded of God to say.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Four days ago - See the notes on Acts 10:23.

Until this hour - The ninth hour, or three o'clock, p. m. See Acts 10:3.

A man - Called, in Acts 10:3, an angel. He had the appearance of a man. Compare Mark 16:5.

In bright clothing - See the notes on Matthew 28:3.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

30-33. Four days ago—the messengers being despatched on the first; on the second reaching Joppa (Ac 10:9); starting for Cæsarea on the third; and on the fourth arriving.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Alms; of which see in Acts 10:4.

In the sight of God; unto which, not only the outward gift, but the inward affection, is visible; and this is peculiarly in the sight of God, the other may be seen also by men.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard,.... What he was now particularly making to God, as well as others he had before put up to him:

and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God; See Gill on Acts 10:4.

Geneva Study Bible

{4} And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

(4) Cornelius' faith demonstrated itself by prayer and charity.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Acts 10:31. εἰσηκούσθη: perhaps “was heard” or “has been heard” is best (see Rendall and Hackett). ἡ προσ. may refer to his present prayer, as it is in the singular, but the burden of all his past prayers had doubtless been the same, cf. Acts 10:33 for God’s guidance into truth.—ἐμνήσθησαν, cf. LXX, Psalm 19:3, Ezekiel 18:22; Ezekiel 18:24; Revelation 16:19.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 31. - Saith for said, A.V. Acts 10:31

Vincent's Word Studies

Said (φησι)

Rev., saith. The historical present, giving vividness to the narrative.