Acts 10:34 kjv
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
Acts 10:34 nkjv
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.
Acts 10:34 niv
Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism
Acts 10:34 esv
So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,
Acts 10:34 nlt
Then Peter replied, "I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism.
Acts 10 34 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 10:34 | God does not show favoritism, but accepts from every nation | Acts 10:35 |
| Romans 2:11 | For God does not show favoritism. | Rom 2:11, Deut 10:17 |
| Deut 10:17 | the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and takes no bribe. | Deut 10:17, 2 Chron 19:7 |
| Gal 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. | Gal 3:28, Col 3:11 |
| Col 3:11 | Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. | Col 3:11, Gal 3:28 |
| 1 Peter 1:17 | And if you call on him as Father who impartially judges according to each one’s work, you should fear him as a stranger during your time of exile. | 1 Pet 1:17, 1 Pet 4:5 |
| 1 Peter 4:5 | They will have to give an account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. | 1 Pet 4:5, 1 Pet 1:17 |
| Luke 7:29-30 | and when all the people heard him, even the tax collectors justified God, by being baptized with the baptism of John, but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not being baptized by him. | Luke 7:29-30 |
| John 4:21-24 | Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is a spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." | John 4:21-24 |
| Acts 15:8-9 | And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he gave to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, when he purified their hearts by faith. | Acts 15:8-9 |
| Romans 3:22-24 | the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus | Rom 3:22-24 |
| Romans 11:11-13 | So I ask, did they stumble in such a way as to fall finally? By no means! But through their stumbling, salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their stumbling means riches for the world, and if their defeat means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness bring! Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry | Rom 11:11-13 |
| Eph 2:14-18 | For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has broken down in his mstate the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. | Eph 2:14-18 |
| Rev 14:6-7 | Then I saw another angel flying in midair with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people, saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” | Rev 14:6-7 |
Acts 10 verses
Acts 10 34 Meaning
God shows no partiality; in every nation, anyone who fears him and works righteousness is accepted by him.
Acts 10 34 Context
This verse occurs in Acts chapter 10, where Peter, guided by a vision and the Holy Spirit, visits the house of Cornelius, a Roman centurion. This event marks a pivotal moment in the early church, signifying the inclusion of Gentiles (non-Jews) into God's covenant through faith in Jesus Christ. Peter's speech in this chapter is crucial, as he explains how the gospel is for everyone, regardless of their ethnic background. This declaration directly challenges the prevailing Jewish understanding that the covenant and salvation were exclusively for them.
Acts 10 34 Word Analysis
- Indeed (ἀληθῶς - alēthōs): Truly, certainly, indeed. It emphasizes the factual nature of the statement that follows.
- I perceive (καταλαμβάνω - katalambanō): To seize, grasp, comprehend, understand. Peter is articulating a newfound understanding and conviction.
- that God (ὅτι ὁ θεὸς - hoti ho theos): That God. Connects Peter's perception to the divine truth.
- shows no (οὐκ ἔστιν – ouk estin): Is not. This negates the possibility of favoritism.
- partiality (πρόσωπολήπτης – prosōpolēptēs): A respecter of persons. One who favors one person over another based on external characteristics rather than merit. It's a compound word: 'prosōpon' (face/person) + 'lambanō' (to take/receive).
- but (ἀλλ’ – all'): A strong adversative conjunction, contrasting the absence of partiality with the affirmation that follows.
- in every (ἐν παντὶ - en panti): In all, in every. Indicates universality.
- nation (ἔθνει - ethnei): A people, a nation, Gentiles. Refers to non-Jewish ethnic groups.
- the one (ὁ φοβούμενος - ho phoboumenos): The one who fears. This is a present participle, suggesting a continuous attitude of reverence and awe towards God.
- who fears him (αὐτὸν - auton): Him (God).
- and (καὶ - kai): Conjunction joining the two conditions.
- works (ἐργάζεται - ergazetai): Works, does. Present tense indicates a habitual or ongoing action.
- righteousness (δικαιοσύνην - dikaiosynēn): Righteousness, justice. Right conduct in relation to God and man, conforming to divine law.
- is accepted (εὐάρεστός - euarestos): Well-pleasing, acceptable. Possessing the quality of being pleasing. The verb form here, "is acceptable," is derived from this adjective.
Groups of words analysis:
- "God shows no partiality": This is a direct assertion that God does not play favorites or judge people based on their nationality, social status, or any other outward appearance. This contrasts with many human systems and prejudices.
- "in every nation": This phrase clearly establishes the scope of God's acceptance. It's not limited to a specific group but extends to all people, regardless of their ethnic origin.
- "the one who fears him and works righteousness": These are the conditions for acceptance. "Fears him" speaks to a reverential awe and reverence for God, leading to obedience. "Works righteousness" indicates a life of doing what is morally and ethically right, flowing from that reverence and a relationship with God. It implies an inward disposition expressed in outward action.
Acts 10 34 Bonus Section
The concept of God's impartiality is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. The Old Testament itself contains passages that speak to God's fairness extending beyond Israel, though often understood within the framework of a covenant people. However, Peter's statement here, deeply informed by his experience with Cornelius and empowered by the Holy Spirit's promptings, solidifies the universal application of the gospel in a way that directly contrasts with exclusivist interpretations of the Law and the Abrahamic covenant. This truth forms the bedrock of the expansion of Christianity to the Gentile world.
Acts 10 34 Commentary
Peter's declaration signifies a radical inclusivity in God's salvific plan. God’s acceptance is not contingent on ethnic lineage or adherence to Mosaic Law as a prerequisite for Gentiles. Instead, the criteria for being accepted by God are universal: a reverential fear of Him and the practice of righteousness. This was revolutionary for his Jewish audience, highlighting that the gospel's scope transcended national and cultural boundaries, opening salvation to all who would believe in Christ and live in obedience to God's moral will, as revealed and empowered by the Holy Spirit.