SEV Biblia, Chapter 10:4
Y l, puestos en l los ojos, espantado, dijo: ¿Qu es, Seor? Y le dijo: Tus oraciones y tus limosnas han sido estimadas en la presencia de Dios.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 10:4
Verse 4. Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial] Being all performed in simplicity and godly sincerity, they were acceptable to the Most High. Come up for a memorial: This form of speech is evidently borrowed from the sacrificial system of the Jews. Pious and sincere prayers are high in God's estimation; and therefore are said to ascend to him, as the smoke and flame of the burnt-offering appeared to ascend to heaven.
These prayers and alms came up for a memorial before God: this is a manifest allusion to the meat-offering, which, in Leviticus ii. 16, is said to be hrkza azkerah, a memorial, (speaking after the manner of men,) to put God in remembrance that such a person was his worshipper, and needed his protection and help. So the prayers and alms of Cornelius ascended before God as an acceptable sacrifice, and were recorded in the kingdom of heaven, that the answers might be given in their due season.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 4. And when he looked on him, he was afraid , etc.] What with the brightness of his clothing, ( Acts 10:30) and the lustre of his countenance, and the majestic form in which he appeared, he perceived there was something uncommon and divine in this vision, and therefore was filled with awe and reverence, yea, with something of a panic fear; as it was usual, even with good persons, as the patriarchs and prophets of the Old Testament, Zacharias, the Virgin Mary, and others; from a sense of the greatness of the divine majesty, which they supposed to be near, or this to be an emblem of it, and from a notion that, at the sight of God, they should die. And said, what is it, Lord what is the matter? what is to be said or done?
What is the reason of this unusual appearance? Some of the Latin copies, and the Ethiopic version, read, who art thou, Lord? but by the angels answer, not this, but the former was the question: for it follows, and he said unto him, thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God ; that is, the prayers which he had put up in faith, for himself and family, and the charitable actions he had performed from a principle of love, were like sacrifices upon the altar, which ascended to God with acceptance; so these sacrifices of prayer and beneficence came up with acceptance from off that altar which sanctities the gift, or were acceptable to God, through Jesus Christ; these were taken notice of, approved by God, and remembered by him, and the fruits and effects he was shortly to enjoy; for that Cornelius was a believer, need not be questioned; since he was not only a devout and religious person, but one that feared God, which includes the whole of religion, internal and external; and so faith in Christ, without which he could not pray aright: there is no doubt of it, but he had read the prophecies of the Old Testament, attended the synagogues of the Jews, and believed in the Messiah to come, though he did not know that he was come, and that Jesus of Nazareth was he; so that his faith was of the same kind with that of the saints before the coming of Christ; and in this faith he did all the good works he did, which became acceptable to God through Christ, and without which it is impossible to please him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - Hitherto none had been baptized into the Christian church but Jews Samaritans, and those converts who had been circumcised and observe the ceremonial law; but now the Gentiles were to be called to partak all the privileges of God's people, without first becoming Jews. Pur and undefiled religion is sometimes found where we least expect it Wherever the fear of God rules in the heart, it will appear both i works of charity and of piety, neither will excuse from the other Doubtless Cornelius had true faith in God's word, as far as he understood it, though not as yet clear faith in Christ. This was the work of the Spirit of God, through the mediation of Jesus, even befor Cornelius knew him, as is the case with us all when we, who before wer dead in sin, are made alive. Through Christ also his prayers and alm were accepted, which otherwise would have been rejected. Withou dispute or delay Cornelius was obedient to the heavenly vision. In the affairs of our souls, let us not lose time.
Greek Textus Receptus
ο 3588 T-NSM δε 1161 CONJ ατενισας 816 5660 V-AAP-NSM αυτω 846 P-DSM και 2532 CONJ εμφοβος 1719 A-NSM γενομενος 1096 5637 V-2ADP-NSM ειπεν 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3S τι 5101 I-NSN εστιν 2076 5748 V-PXI-3S κυριε 2962 N-VSM ειπεν 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3S δε 1161 CONJ αυτω 846 P-DSM αι 3588 T-NPF προσευχαι 4335 N-NPF σου 4675 P-2GS και 2532 CONJ αι 3588 T-NPF ελεημοσυναι 1654 N-NPF σου 4675 P-2GS ανεβησαν 305 5627 V-2AAI-3P εις 1519 PREP μνημοσυνον 3422 N-ASN ενωπιον 1799 ADV του 3588 T-GSM θεου 2316 N-GSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
4. When he looked (atenisav). Rev., more accurately, fastening his eyes. Compare ch. viii. 55; and see on Luke iv. 20.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
10:4 {Lord} (kurie). Cornelius recognizes the angel of God (verse #3) as God's messenger. {Are gone up} (anebesan). Timeless second aorist active indicative of anabainw. Gone up like the smoke of incense in sacrifices. {For a memorial} (eis mnemosunon). Old word from mnemwn. The only other instance in the N.T. is by Jesus about the act of Mary of Bethany (#Mt 26:13; Mr 14:9). His prayers and his alms proved his sincerity and won the ear of God.
