Acts 10 4

Acts 10:4 kjv

And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

Acts 10:4 nkjv

And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?" So he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.

Acts 10:4 niv

Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.

Acts 10:4 esv

And he stared at him in terror and said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.

Acts 10:4 nlt

Cornelius stared at him in terror. "What is it, sir?" he asked the angel. And the angel replied, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering!

Acts 10 verses

Acts 10 4 Meaning

Acts 10:4 reveals that Cornelius's consistent acts of devotion—his prayers and generous giving—had been noticed and accepted by God as a lasting remembrance. This signifies divine approval and readiness for further revelation, setting the stage for the Gospel's expansion to the Gentiles.

Acts 10 4 Context

Acts 10:4 occurs at the beginning of a pivotal chapter in the New Testament, signaling the expansion of the Gospel beyond its Jewish origins to the Gentiles. The immediate context is Cornelius's divine vision in Caesarea. Cornelius, a Roman centurion, is described in Acts 10:2 as a devout "God-fearer"—a Gentile who reverenced the God of Israel and adhered to certain Jewish moral standards, praying and giving alms generously, but not undergoing full conversion (circumcision).

Historically, the early Church, largely Jewish in composition, wrestled with how Gentiles could become part of God's people. This account of Cornelius, along with Peter's concurrent vision of the sheet with unclean animals, divinely orchestrates the breakdown of traditional barriers. The angel's declaration in verse 4 affirms that God recognizes sincere devotion and ethical living even from those outside the conventional covenant, paving the way for Peter to preach the full Gospel message of Christ's salvation to a Gentile household. This challenges the common perception that God was solely concerned with Israel, underscoring His universal reach and impartiality.

Acts 10 4 Word analysis

• And when he looked on him: From Greek katanoēsas (κατανοήσας), meaning to observe intently, consider carefully, or fix one's mind upon. It emphasizes Cornelius's deliberate and focused attention on the angel, indicating he fully registered the divine presence.

• he was afraid: From Greek emphobos genomenos (ἔμφοβος γενόμενος). This reaction, common when encountering divine or angelic beings in Scripture (e.g., Ex 3:6, Luke 1:12), signifies reverence, awe, and a sense of one's own smallness before the supernatural. It underscores the profound impact of the heavenly messenger.

• and said, What is it, Lord?: Cornelius's humble, inquiring, and respectful response. "Lord" (Kyrie, Κύριε) here expresses deep deference and acknowledgment of authority, suitable for addressing a heavenly being. It demonstrates his readiness to receive instruction.

• And he said unto him: The angel's direct address, immediately affirming his purpose.

• Thy prayers: Greek proseuchai (προσευχαί). Refers to acts of petition, devotion, and communication with God. The plural form implies consistent, habitual prayer. It points to Cornelius's ongoing spiritual discipline and relationship with God.

• and thine alms: Greek eleēmosynai (ἐλεημοσύναι). Derived from "mercy," these are acts of compassion, giving charity or aid to the poor and needy. Alongside prayer, almsgiving was a cornerstone of Jewish piety, reflecting practical love and righteousness.

• are come up: Greek anebēsan (ἀνέβησαν), literally "have gone up" or "ascended." This imagery portrays prayers and acts of mercy as spiritual offerings that rise into the heavenly presence, much like the smoke of incense from an altar, signifying acceptance and remembrance by God (cf. Rev 8:4).

• for a memorial: Greek eis mnēmosynon (εἰς μνημόσυνον). Means "a remembrance" or "a monument." In the Old Testament, this term referred to offerings or actions that served to "remind" God (not that God forgets, but that He is moved to act based on His promises or in response to sincere acts of piety, e.g., Num 10:10). Here, it signifies that Cornelius's devotional practices were divinely noted, acknowledged, and honored. They stood as evidence of his true heart before God.

• before God: Greek enōpion tou Theou (ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ). This phrase emphasizes that these actions were performed in the very presence of the Almighty, directly observed and validated by Him. It assures Cornelius that his efforts were not wasted or unnoticed but had found favor and attention in heaven itself.

• Thy prayers and thine alms: This phrase highlights a balanced devotion: inner piety (prayer) and outward expression (alms). God values both genuine spiritual connection and compassionate action towards others, particularly the needy. This pairing demonstrates Cornelius's holistic reverence for God.

• are come up for a memorial before God: This entire clause conveys divine affirmation and acceptance. It indicates that Cornelius's diligent, God-honoring life was not merely "good" by human standards but had a spiritual weight and ascended into the heavenly court, being remembered by God Himself. This does not imply these acts earned salvation, but that they revealed a seeking heart responsive to divine prompting, preparing him for the saving message of Christ.

Acts 10 4 Bonus section

The narrative of Cornelius underscores the important role of "God-fearers" as a bridge community in the expansion of early Christianity. These individuals, already sympathetic to Jewish monotheism and ethical principles, formed fertile ground for the Gospel message among the Gentiles. God's commendation of Cornelius's prayers and alms was not merely an acknowledgment of good deeds but a divine signal that a person's receptivity and righteousness, even outside the direct covenant, would lead to an encounter with the full revelation of God's saving grace in Christ. This account demonstrates God's sovereign work in preparing hearts and orchestrating key moments in redemptive history to extend His kingdom universally.

Acts 10 4 Commentary

Acts 10:4 serves as a divine endorsement of Cornelius's character and practices, revealing God's prior knowledge and approval of this devout Gentile. The angel's words articulate that Cornelius's persistent prayers and generous almsgiving were not ignored; rather, they were recognized and recorded in God's heavenly ledger as a "memorial." This signifies that Cornelius, a "God-fearer" outside the conventional Jewish covenant, was already in a state of seeking and sincere devotion that God honored.

This verse does not suggest that Cornelius's good works earned him salvation, which is by grace through faith in Christ (Eph 2:8-9), but rather that these actions demonstrated a heart prepared by God and open to further revelation. His piety moved God to act, setting the stage for the Gospel's entry into the Gentile world through Peter. The "memorial" implies God's benevolent recollection, signaling His readiness to initiate a deeper relationship and provide the way to salvation through His Son. It affirms that acts of sincere faith and charity, when springing from a devout heart, are observed and esteemed by God. For instance, an individual today who earnestly seeks God and practices mercy will find divine attention, paving the way for the Spirit to illuminate the saving truth of Jesus Christ. This verse highlights divine impartiality and initiative, demonstrating that God is drawn to humble, seeking hearts, regardless of their prior religious background or status.