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.

And {G1161} when he looked {G816} on him {G846}, he was {G1096} afraid {G1719}, and {G2532} said {G2036}, What {G5101} is it {G2076}, Lord {G2962}? And {G1161} he said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Thy {G4675} prayers {G4335} and {G2532} thine {G4675} alms {G1654} are come up {G305} for {G1519} a memorial {G3422} before {G1799} God {G2316}.

Cornelius stared at the angel, terrified. “What is it, sir?” he asked. “Your prayers,” replied the angel, “and your acts of charity have gone up into God’s presence, so that he has you on his mind.

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

And he, fastening his eyes upon him, and being affrighted, said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a memorial before God.

Commentary

In Acts 10:4, we witness a pivotal moment in the story of Cornelius, a devout Roman centurion. This verse captures his immediate reaction to a divine visitation and the angel's crucial message regarding his spiritual standing before God.

Context

This verse is part of a larger narrative in Acts 10, which describes God's groundbreaking initiative to extend the Gospel explicitly to the Gentiles. Cornelius, introduced in Acts 10:1-2, is portrayed as a righteous and God-fearing man, known for his regular prayers and generous almsgiving. The angel's appearance is a direct response to his sincere devotion, setting the stage for Peter's visit and the subsequent conversion of the first Gentile household, marking a significant shift in the early church's mission.

Key Themes

  • Divine Attention to Piety: The verse highlights that God observes and acknowledges genuine human devotion, regardless of ethnic background or religious tradition at the time. Cornelius's prayers and alms were not overlooked but "came up for a memorial before God."
  • Acceptable Offerings: It reveals that acts of piety—specifically prayer and charity—are pleasing to God. This concept echoes Old Testament principles where offerings and obedience were seen as ways to honor God.
  • God's Initiative in Salvation: This visitation demonstrates God's proactive role in drawing people to Himself, preparing Cornelius for the message of salvation through Christ that Peter would soon bring. It underscores that God initiates the call to those who seek Him.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "come up for a memorial before God" translates the Greek eis mnemounon (εἰς μνημόσυνον), meaning "for a remembrance" or "as a memorial." This term is often used in the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) to describe sacrifices or offerings that God remembers or accepts (e.g., the memorial portion of grain offerings in Leviticus). It implies that Cornelius's spiritual acts were not forgotten but were acknowledged and held in high regard by God, serving as a fragrant offering or a pleasing remembrance.

Related Scriptures

  • For the importance of prayer, see 1 John 5:14-15.
  • For the significance of almsgiving and charity, consider Matthew 6:2-4, where Jesus teaches about discreet giving.
  • The broader theme of God's impartiality towards Gentiles is powerfully declared by Peter later in this chapter in Acts 10:34-35.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful encouragement for believers today. It assures us that our consistent prayers and genuine acts of compassion and charity are not in vain. They are seen and valued by God. Cornelius's story reminds us that while good works do not earn salvation (which is by grace through faith, as seen in Ephesians 2:8-9), they are an authentic expression of a heart seeking God and can prepare one for a deeper encounter with Him. It also highlights God's desire for all people to come to Him, demonstrating His accessibility to those who earnestly seek Him.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Philippians 4:6 (29 votes)

    Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

  • Hebrews 6:10 (16 votes)

    For God [is] not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

  • Malachi 3:16 (13 votes)

    Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

  • Acts 10:31 (12 votes)

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

  • Revelation 8:4 (11 votes)

    And the smoke of the incense, [which came] with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

  • Psalms 141:2 (11 votes)

    Let my prayer be set forth before thee [as] incense; [and] the lifting up of my hands [as] the evening sacrifice.

  • Luke 1:12 (8 votes)

    And when Zacharias saw [him], he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.