Acts 10:31

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

And {G2532} said {G5346}, Cornelius {G2883}, thy {G4675} prayer {G4335} is heard {G1522}, and {G2532} thine {G4675} alms {G1654} are had in remembrance {G3415} in the sight {G1799} of God {G2316}.

and said, ‘God has heard your prayer and remembered your acts of charity.

and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been remembered before God.

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

Context

Acts 10:31 is part of a pivotal narrative in the Book of Acts, marking a significant step in the early church's understanding of God's inclusive plan. The verse records the words of an angel appearing to Cornelius, a Roman centurion stationed in Caesarea. Cornelius is described as a devout, God-fearing Gentile who regularly prayed and gave generously to the poor. Unlike the Jewish believers who initially thought salvation was exclusively for Israel, Cornelius represents the unreached Gentile world.

This angelic visitation, detailed in Acts 10:3-6, prompts Cornelius to send for Peter. Crucially, this vision directly precedes Peter's own transformative vision in Joppa (Acts 10:9-16), where God declared all foods clean and, by extension, all people acceptable to Him, breaking down ethnic barriers.

Key Themes

  • God's Attentiveness to Sincere Devotion: The angel's declaration underscores that God hears and responds to the earnest prayers of those who seek Him, regardless of their current understanding or religious background. Cornelius's sincere seeking was noticed by God.
  • The Value of Prayer and Almsgiving: Cornelius's acts of charity (alms) and consistent prayer were not just good deeds but were "had in remembrance" by God. This signifies that these actions ascended as a pleasing memorial or offering before Him, indicating divine approval and remembrance, much like a sacrifice. This highlights that God values both our direct communication with Him and our practical expressions of compassion towards others.
  • Divine Initiative in Salvation: This verse beautifully illustrates that God often initiates contact with those who are sincerely seeking Him. Cornelius's actions prepared his heart, but it was God who sent the angel and orchestrated the meeting with Peter, leading to the preaching of the Gospel and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Gentiles.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Greek word for "alms" is eleēmosynē (ἐλεημοσύνη), which means "pity," "mercy," or "charity," particularly referring to acts of compassion towards the poor and needy. It emphasizes deeds of mercy rather than just monetary giving.
  • The phrase "are had in remembrance" translates a Greek idiom, anabainō eis mnēmosynon (ἀναβαίνω εἰς μνημόσυνον), literally meaning "have ascended as a memorial." This vivid imagery suggests that Cornelius's prayers and alms rose like incense or a sacrifice before God, not forgotten but rather registered in His divine memory as something pleasing and worthy of response.

Practical Application

Acts 10:31 offers profound encouragement for believers today:

  • Persistence in Prayer and Charity: Our consistent prayers and acts of mercy are not unnoticed by God. This verse reassures us that God sees our secret acts of devotion and compassion, even when no one else does.
  • God's Inclusivity: It reminds us of God's heart for all people, regardless of background or prior understanding. He draws those who genuinely seek Him, opening doors for the Gospel to reach every corner of the earth, just as He did with Cornelius and the Gentiles.
  • Actions Precede Revelation: While salvation is by grace through faith, Cornelius's story shows that a life characterized by sincere devotion and good works can position a person to receive further revelation from God. Our pursuit of God and acts of love can be a preparation for deeper divine encounter.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 10:4

    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.

  • Luke 1:13

    But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

  • Daniel 9:23

    At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew [thee]; for thou [art] greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

  • Daniel 10:12

    Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

  • Revelation 5:8

    And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

  • Isaiah 38:5

    Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.

  • Revelation 8:3

    And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer [it] with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

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