Acts 10:7 kjv
And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
Acts 10:7 nkjv
And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually.
Acts 10:7 niv
When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants.
Acts 10:7 esv
When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him,
Acts 10:7 nlt
As soon as the angel was gone, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier, one of his personal attendants.
Acts 10 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 10:2 | "He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed regularly to God." | Cornelius' devotion |
| Luke 1:6 | "Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, obeying all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly." | Parallel righteousness |
| Ps 112:1 | "Praise the Lord. Blessed are they who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands." | Blessing of the fearful |
| Prov 10:4 | "Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth." | Diligence and reward |
| Prov 28:7 | "Whoever keeps the law is a wise son, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father." | Obedience and wisdom |
| Is 1:17 | "Learn to do right; seek justice, defend the oppressed, take up the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow." | Emphasis on justice/mercy |
| Jer 5:27 | "They are prosperous and fat and course through their wickedness; they surpass the express purposes of the heart. They do not champion the cause of the fatherless, to give them success, nor do they defend the rights of the needy." | Contrasting absence of mercy |
| Dan 4:27 | "Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by outward acts of fairness and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; perhaps there may be a lengthening of your lifetime." | Mercy as atonement |
| Matt 6:3-4 | "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be secret. And your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." | Secret generosity |
| Matt 6:5 | "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward." | True prayer vs. ostentatious |
| Matt 25:35-40 | "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.... Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." | Service to the needy as service to Christ |
| Luke 18:1 | "Then Jesus told them a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." | Persistence in prayer |
| John 3:21 | "But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works are done in Christ." | Works done in truth |
| Rom 2:10 | "but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." | God's impartial justice |
| Rom 3:29 | "Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too," | God's universal scope |
| Rom 15:8-9 | "For I tell you that Christ, the circumcised servant of God for the sake of his promises to the fathers, and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy, as it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.”" | Christ's service for Jewish and Gentile blessings |
| 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." | Unity in Christ |
| Eph 2:11-13 | "Therefore remember that formerly you were Gentiles in the flesh—called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “circumcised”—12remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the people of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ." | Gentiles brought near |
| Phil 2:3 | "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves," | Humility in service |
| Col 3:25 | "For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism." | No favoritism |
| 1 Pet 1:17 | "And if you call on God as Father who judges without favoritism, then live your lives in reverence of him during your time as an exile." | God judges impartially |
| 1 John 3:17 | "But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?" | Love demonstrated by giving |
Acts 10 verses
Acts 10 7 Meaning
The verse describes Cornelius's devout piety and fear of God, characterized by his consistent almsgiving and prayer to God. This establishes Cornelius as a righteous Gentile.
Acts 10 7 Context
This verse appears at the beginning of Acts chapter 10, introducing Cornelius, a Roman centurion stationed in Caesarea. The chapter marks a pivotal moment in early Christianity, as it depicts the conversion of the first prominent Gentile believer, Cornelius, and the divine confirmation that salvation is available to Gentiles on the same basis as Jews. The narrative emphasizes God's work in preparing Cornelius and Peter for this encounter, highlighting God's impartiality. Cornelius’s character as devout, God-fearing, charitable, and prayerful is established before his direct encounter with Peter, showing that the Holy Spirit was already active in the lives of faithful Gentiles.
Acts 10 7 Word analysis
- Now (Greek: δὲ, de): A conjunction indicating a transition or continuation of the narrative.
- there was (Greek: ἦν, ēn): Imperfect tense of the verb "to be," signifying a continuous state or existence.
- a certain man (Greek: ἄνθρωπος, anthrōpos): Generic term for a human being; here, it introduces a specific individual.
- in Caesarea (Greek: ἐν Καισαρείᾳ, en Kaisareia): Locates the man in the important Roman port city of Caesarea Maritima.
- named Cornelius (Greek: ὀνόματι Κορνήλιος, onomati Kornēlios): States his proper name. Cornelius was a common Roman cognomen.
- a centurion (Greek: ἑκατοντάρχης, hekatontarchēs): A commander of approximately 100 Roman soldiers, indicating his social and professional standing within the Roman army.
- of the Italian regiment (Greek: ἐκ σπείρης τῆς καλουμένης Ἰταλικῆς, ek speirēs tēs kaloumenēs Italikes): Specifies his legion's origin or recruitment, the "Italian cohort." This implies he was not Jewish and served as part of the Roman occupying forces.
- devout (Greek: εὐσεβὴς, eusebēs): Characterizes his piety and reverence, particularly towards God.
- and (Greek: καὶ, kai): Connects "devout" with "fearful of God."
- fearful of God (Greek: φοβούμενος τὸν Θεόν, phoboumenos ton Theon): This phrase signifies deep respect, awe, and adherence to God's will, often translated as "God-fearing." It was a common descriptor for Gentiles who were attracted to Jewish monotheism.
- all his household (Greek: σὺν ἅπαντι τῷ οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ, syn apanti tō oikō autou): Indicates that his piety extended to his entire family and dependents.
- who gave much alms (Greek: ὁ ποιῶν ἐλεημοσύνας ὀχλούσας, ho poiōn eleēmosynas ochlousas): Highlights his generous acts of charity towards the poor, with "ochlousas" implying a large quantity or significant burden of giving.
- to the people (Greek: τῷ λαῷ, tō laō): Specifies that his alms were directed towards the Jewish people, who were the recipients of much Jewish philanthropy and whose God he revered.
- and (Greek: καὶ, kai): Connects his almsgiving with his prayer.
- prayed to God (Greek: δεόμενος τὸν Θεόν, deomenos ton Theon): Denotes his habitual and earnest prayer life directed toward God.
Word Groups Analysis
- "devout and fearful of God": This combination describes a Gentile who has embraced monotheism and strives to live according to what he understands of God's commands. It distinguishes him from those who are purely pagan. This was a category of people in the Roman world sympathetic to Judaism.
- "all his household": The impact of his faith is seen not just in him but in his entire household, suggesting a household religion influenced by his devotion.
- "gave much alms to the people and prayed to God": These are the outward expressions of his inner devotion. They represent righteousness and piety recognized by God. This dual emphasis on deeds of mercy and private prayer reflects a complete approach to godly living as understood in Jewish piety.
Acts 10 7 Bonus section
The narrative prepares the reader for the expansion of the Gospel to the Gentiles. Cornelius's piety acts as a divine preparation, showing that God looks upon the heart of all people. His faith demonstrates that genuine spirituality and good works are recognized by God, regardless of ethnic or religious background. The phrase "fearful of God" was often used to describe God-fearing Gentiles, who were attracted to Judaism's monotheism and ethical teachings, sometimes supporting synagogues with their wealth, but without fully converting by circumcision. Cornelius’s role is foundational for the inclusion of the Gentiles into the Christian church, breaking down ethnic barriers and establishing the universal nature of God’s salvific plan. His deep respect for God, evident in his actions and prayers, makes him receptive to the message of salvation when presented by Peter, all orchestrated by divine providence.
Acts 10 7 Commentary
Cornelius is presented as an exemplary Gentile believer. His life is characterized by tangible expressions of his faith: extensive charity to the poor and consistent, earnest prayer. The description "fearful of God" (θεοσεβής) suggests someone who, though not a proselyte (circumcised Jew), deeply revered the God of Israel. This piety extended to his entire household, demonstrating a profound commitment that influenced those around him. His generosity and prayerfulness are not seen as mere outward acts but as evidence of an inner spiritual reality that God acknowledges. This foundational portrayal is crucial, as it sets the stage for God's direct intervention to bring salvation to the Gentiles through Peter, affirming that God accepts those from every nation who fear Him and do righteousness.