10:1 There 1 was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a
centurion of the band called the Italian [band],
(1) Peter consecrates the first fruits of the Gentiles to God
by the means of two miracles.
10:2 [A] a devout [man], and one that feared God with b all
his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed
to God alway.
(a) So that he worshipped one God, and was not an idolater,
and neither could he be void of faith in Christ,
because he was a devout man: but as of yet he did not
know that Christ had come.
(b) This is a commendable thing about the man, that he
laboured to have all his household, and well-known
friends, and acquaintances to be religious and godly.
10:4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, c
What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and
thine alms are d come up for e a memorial before God.
(c) What do you want with me Lord? For he prepares himself
to hear.
(d) This is a borrowed kind of speech which the Hebrews
used very much, taken from sacrifices and applied to
prayers: for it is said of whole burnt sacrifices that
the smoke and smell of them goes up into God's
nostrils, and so do our prayers, as a sweet smelling
sacrifice which the Lord takes great pleasure in.
(e) That is, in as much that they will not allow God as it
were to forget you: for so the Scripture often talks
childish with us as nurses do with little children,
when they prepare their tongues to speak.
10:10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they
made ready, he fell into a f trance,
(f) For though Peter does not stand amazed as one that is
tongue tied, but talks with God and is instructed in
his mysteries, yet his mind was far from being as it
normally was; shortly, however, it returned to its
normal state.
10:11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending
unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the g
four corners, and let down to the earth:
(g) So that it seemed to be a square sheet.
10:12 Wherein were h all manner of i fourfooted beasts of
the earth, and wild beasts, and k creeping things, and
fowls of the air.
(h) Here is this word "all" which is general, plainly used
for something indefinite and uncertain, that is to
say, for some of all sorts, not for all of every sort.
(i) That is, such as were proper for men's use.
(k) To see what is meant by these creeping things see
(Le 11:2-47).
10:142 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten
any thing that is common or unclean.
(2) Peter learns daily in the knowledge of the benefit of
Christ, yea, even after he had received the Holy Spirit.
10:15 And the voice [spake] unto him again the second time, What
God hath cleansed, [that] l call not thou common.
(l) Do not consider them to be unprofitable.
10:253 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and
fell down at his feet, and worshipped [him].
(3) Religious adoration of worship is proper only to God: but
civil worship is given to the ministers of the word,
although not without danger.
10:30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until m
this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house,
and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
(m) He does not mean the very hour at the present time
(as it was nine o'clock when he spoke to Peter),
but the like, that is, about nine o'clock the other
day.
10:314 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine
alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
(4) Cornelius' faith demonstrated itself by prayer and charity.
10:325 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose
surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of [one] Simon
a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak
unto thee.
(5) As faith comes by hearing, so it is nourished and grows up
by the same.
10:346 Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I
perceive that n God is no respecter of persons:
(6) Distinction of nations is taken away by the coming of
Christ: and it is evidently seen by their faith and
righteousness, which ones are agreeable to him and which
ones he accepts.
n That God does not judge according to the outward
appearance.
10:35 But in every nation he that o feareth him, and worketh
righteousness, is accepted with him.
(o) By the "fear of God" the Hebrews understood the whole
service of God, by which we perceive that Cornelius
was not void of faith, no more than they were who
lived before Christ's time: and therefore they deal
incorrectly who deduce meritorious works and free will
from this passage.
10:36 The p word which [God] sent unto the children of Israel,
preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
(p) God showed the Israelites that whoever lives godly is
acceptable to God, no matter what nation he comes
from, for he preached peace to men through Jesus
Christ, who is Lord not only of one nation, that is,
of the Jews, but of all.
10:377 That word, [I say], ye know, which was published
throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the
baptism which John preached;
(7) The sum of the Gospel (which will be made manifest at the
latter day, when Christ himself will sit as judge both of
the living and the dead), is this, that Christ promised to
the fathers and exhibited in his time with the mighty power
of God (which was demonstrated by all means) and at length
crucified to reconcile us to God, did rise again the third
day, so that whoever believes in him should be saved
through the remission of sins.
10:38 How God q anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost
and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all
that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
(q) This manner of speaking is taken from an old custom of
the Jews, who used to anoint their kings and priests,
because of which it came to pass to call those
anointed upon whom God bestowed gifts and virtues.
10:41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses r chosen
before of God, [even] to us, who did eat and drink with
him after he rose from the dead.
(r) This choosing of the apostles is properly given to
God: for though God is president in the lawful
election of ministers, yet there is in this place a
secret opposition and setting of God's choosing and
men's voices against one another, for the apostles are
appointed directly by God, and the Church ministers
indirectly.
10:448 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell
on all them which heard the word.
(8) The Spirit of God seals that in the heart of the hearers
which the minister of the word speaks by the commandment of
God, as is evident by the results.
10:479 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be
baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as
we?
(9) Baptism does not sanctify or make those holy who receive
it, but is an outward sign to the world of the profession
of faith. (Ed.)
