Acts 11:14

Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

Who {G3739} shall tell {G2980} thee {G4314}{G4571} words {G4487}, whereby {G1722}{G3739} thou {G4771} and {G2532} all {G3956} thy {G4675} house {G3624} shall be saved {G4982}.

He has a message for you which will enable you and your whole household to be saved.’

He will convey to you a message by which you and all your household will be saved.’

who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house.

Commentary

Acts 11:14 records the pivotal promise given to Cornelius, a devout Gentile, by an angel. This verse is part of Peter's recounting of his foundational experience at Cornelius's house to the apostles and brethren in Jerusalem, explaining why he shared the Gospel with uncircumcised Gentiles. The angel's message assures Cornelius that Peter will deliver "words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved," emphasizing the comprehensive power of the Gospel message.

Context

This verse is deeply embedded in the narrative of God's expanding salvation from the Jewish people to the Gentiles. In Acts chapter 10, both Peter and Cornelius receive divine visions. Cornelius, a Roman centurion and a God-fearing man, is instructed by an angel to send for Simon Peter. This encounter challenges Peter's traditional Jewish understanding of clean and unclean, leading him to declare in Acts 10:34-35 that "God is no respecter of persons." The angel's promise in Acts 11:14 highlights God's initiative in bringing salvation to those outside the traditional covenant community, preparing the way for the full inclusion of Gentiles into the early Christian church.

Key Themes

  • The Power of the Gospel Message: The "words" are the life-giving message of Jesus Christ—His death, resurrection, and the call to repentance and faith. It is through hearing and believing this message that salvation is offered.
  • Household Salvation: A significant theme in Acts, this verse promises salvation not just for Cornelius, but for his entire household. This reflects a biblical pattern where the head of the household's faith often impacts the entire family unit, as seen later with the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:31. It underscores God's desire to bless families.
  • Divine Initiative and Gentile Inclusion: God orchestrates this entire encounter, demonstrating His sovereign plan to extend the blessings of the new covenant beyond Israel. The subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Cornelius and his household (Acts 10:44-48) confirms God's full acceptance of Gentiles into the body of Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "saved" here is sōthēsetai (σωθήσεται), which signifies deliverance, preservation, and healing. In this context, it primarily refers to spiritual salvation—deliverance from the penalty and power of sin, leading to eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. It encompasses a holistic well-being that comes from reconciliation with God.

Practical Application

Acts 11:14 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • The Urgency of Sharing the Gospel: Just as Peter was divinely sent to share the saving "words," believers are called to proclaim the Gospel message. It is through hearing and believing these words that people find salvation.
  • God's Heart for All People: This verse beautifully illustrates God's universal love and His desire for all people, regardless of their background or ethnicity, to come to know Him and be saved.
  • Hope for Families: The promise of household salvation encourages believers to pray for and share their faith with their family members, trusting that God can bring entire households to faith.
  • Obedience to Divine Direction: Both Cornelius and Peter's obedience to God's specific instructions led to a breakthrough in God's redemptive plan. Our willingness to obey God's leading can open doors for powerful ministry.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Acts 10:22

    And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

  • Acts 16:15

    And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought [us], saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide [there]. And she constrained us.

  • Acts 16:31

    And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

  • Acts 16:34

    And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

  • Acts 2:39

    For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.

  • Genesis 17:7

    ¶ And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

  • 1 John 5:9

    If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
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