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There is no argument here in favour of heathenism. — it is rather an argument in favour of Judaism. Cornelius's character was not the result of classic culture, but of classic culture supplemented by Divine revelation. Seeing, then, that he was accepted of God before his conversion, why not let him and others like him alone? Simply because they cannot let themselves alone. They are still conscious of a painful void in the heart, which only God in Christ can fill. To be "accepted of God" is not the only desire of the heart; man wants to be perfected. Judaism would enable a man to be accepted; but it could not "make the comers thereto perfect." "For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did." This, then, is the reason why Cornelius needed the gospel — the gospel alone could fill the desires of his heart and perfect him in goodness. And what aspect of the gospel did Peter present to him? First, that God in Christ came to seek man, to do him good. In this Christianity differed from all the heathen religions. The latter always represent man seeking God but never finding. One of their own writers was at last obliged So exclaim — "Man cannot find God, God must therefore find man." Read the Bible and you discern in every page, not man seeking God, but God seeking man. But Peter not only spoke of the Saviour's life, he dwelt also upon His death. Other religions declared what man ought to do for God; this religion declares what God has done for man. The preaching of the gospel thus tended to revolutionise the world. The world, so to speak, is thrown off its centre. In ancient astronomy the sun revolved around the earth: in modern astronomy the earth revolves around the sun. We see a corresponding change in the science of religion. Compare the end of the chapter with the beginning. The beginning tells us what Cornelius did for God — he prayed, he fasted, he gave alms: — that is the groundwork of all ancient religions. The end tells us what God did for Cornelius — He sent His Son Jesus to live and die, "that through His name whosoever believeth in Him should receive remission of sins": that is the groundwork of the Christian faith.

(J. Cynddylan Jones, D. D.)

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KJV: Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

WEB: Peter opened his mouth and said, "Truly I perceive that God doesn't show favoritism;