Acts 10 31

Acts 10:31 kjv

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

Acts 10:31 nkjv

and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.

Acts 10:31 niv

and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor.

Acts 10:31 esv

and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God.

Acts 10:31 nlt

He told me, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God!

Acts 10 verses

Acts 10 31 Meaning

The angel's message to Cornelius directly affirms that his consistent life of devotion—characterized by both earnest prayer and compassionate generosity to the needy—has been seen, accepted, and positively acknowledged by God. This divine validation signals God's readiness to further reveal His plan of salvation to Cornelius and his household.

Acts 10 31 Context

Acts chapter 10 recounts a pivotal event in the early Church's mission: the conversion of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and his household. Cornelius is described in Acts 10:2 as "a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always." This verse, Acts 10:31, comes directly from an angelic message delivered to Cornelius during one of his prayer times (vv.3-6, 30). The angel instructs him to send for Peter. The historical context reveals the deeply ingrained Jewish perception that Gentiles were ritually unclean and outside God's direct covenant. This event, coupled with Peter's concurrent vision (Acts 10:9-16), serves to dismantle these barriers, signifying God's universal redemptive purpose, extending salvation to all nations without distinction.

Acts 10 31 Word analysis

• and said: Connects the angel's direct speech to the narrative, signaling the precise divine message being delivered to Cornelius.
• 'Cornelius,': Refers to the Roman centurion in Caesarea. His Gentile identity is crucial, as God's explicit recognition of his piety shatters existing Jewish-Gentile divides. His Roman background underscores God's outreach to the broader Roman world.
• 'your prayer (ἡ προσευχή - hē proseuchē)': This noun refers to his act of communion with God, specifically his "constant" prayer life (Acts 10:2) and the particular prayer session during which the vision occurred (Acts 10:30). Proseuchē typically denotes worship, devotion, and addressing God with specific requests or praise, indicating an earnest spiritual pursuit.
• 'has been heard (εἰσηκούσθη - eisēkousthē)': An aorist passive indicative verb, meaning the action of hearing is completed and was performed by God (the implied agent). It implies not merely perceiving sound, but favorable attention, acceptance, and consideration by God, leading to a divine response (similar to Psa 66:19-20). This underscores divine active engagement.
• 'and your alms (αἱ ἐλεημοσύναι - hai eleēmosynai)': The plural noun signifies Cornelius's repeated and consistent acts of charity and mercy toward the poor (Acts 10:2). Eleēmosynē encompasses compassionate giving that flows from mercy. It represents the tangible, outward expression of his inner devotion and piety.
• 'have been remembered (ἐμνήσθησαν - emnēsthēsan)': Another aorist passive indicative verb. God's "remembering" is an active, covenantal concept in the Bible, signifying divine awareness and a commitment to act upon that knowledge, not a mere recalling of facts (e.g., Gen 8:1). It indicates God's favorable recognition and approval of Cornelius's deeds, setting the stage for His further intervention.
• 'before God (ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ - enōpion tou theou)': "In the presence of God." This phrase emphasizes the divine visibility and intimate knowledge of Cornelius's spiritual state. It implies direct divine observation, full comprehension, and ultimate approval, validating his sincere piety in God's sight.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• 'your prayer... and your alms': This coupling highlights a holistic piety, encompassing both internal communion with God (prayer) and external, compassionate action towards fellow humans (alms). These two practices are presented as dual pillars of genuine righteousness in both Old Testament Jewish thought and early Christian teaching (Mt 6:1-6, Tobit 12:8-9).
• 'has been heard... have been remembered': These parallel passive verbs underscore divine agency. God is the one who hears and remembers. The perfective aspect (aorist) signifies completed actions, emphasizing God's definitive acceptance and positive assessment of Cornelius's spiritual life, assuring him of divine favor and forthcoming guidance.
• 'before God': This concluding phrase affirms the divine audit. Cornelius's spiritual practices and charitable works were not hidden; they were fully exposed and approved in the highest court of divine justice, demonstrating God's meticulous awareness and appreciation for sincere, devoted hearts, regardless of their background.

Acts 10 31 Bonus section

• Cornelius serves as a biblical model of "pre-conversion" piety; his devoutness, while commendable, did not provide salvation, but it prepared his heart for the gospel message and demonstrated his responsiveness to God, prompting divine intervention.
• This passage strongly emphasizes that while good works do not earn salvation, they are expressions of a sincere heart seeking God and are valued by Him, playing a role in the divine economy leading to a fuller revelation of His grace.
• The event highlights God's initiative in breaking down racial and religious barriers, foreshadowing the expansive nature of the Christian Church and the inclusive call to faith for all nations.
• The connection between prayer and alms suggests that a truly spiritual life integrates both vertical (God-ward) and horizontal (man-ward) dimensions of faith, mirroring Christ's teachings (Mt 22:37-39).

Acts 10 31 Commentary

Acts 10:31 is the divine pronouncement validating Cornelius's existing piety. The angel's words are a clear affirmation that God actively observed and accepted Cornelius's life of prayer and charitable deeds. This acceptance was not a salvific act earned by works, but evidence of a heart genuinely open and responsive to God, despite not yet having a full revelation of Jesus Christ. This acknowledgment established a divine precedent: God recognizes sincere devotion even from those outside the traditional covenant community, setting the stage for the universal proclamation of the Gospel. It dismantles the barrier of exclusivity, revealing God's impartial nature and His sovereign initiative to bring all people into saving knowledge of Him through Christ (Acts 10:34-35).