SEV Biblia, Chapter 11:18
Entonces, oídas estas cosas, callaron, y glorificaron a Dios, diciendo: De manera que tambin a los gentiles ha dado Dios arrepentimiento para vida.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 11:18
Verse 18. They held their peace] Their prejudices were confounded; they considered the subject, and saw that it was from God; then they glorified him, because they saw that he had granted unto the Gentiles repentance unto life. As the word metanoia, which we translate repentance, signifies literally a change of mind, it may be here referred to a change of religious views, &c. And as repentance signifies a change of life and conduct, from evil to good, so the word metanoia may be used here to signify a change from a false religion to the true one; from idolatry, to the worship of the true God. Rosenmuller thinks that, in several cases, where it is spoken of the Jews, it signifies their change from a contempt of the Messiah to reverence for him, and the consequent embracing of the Christian religion. The Christians who were present were all satisfied with St. Peter's account and apology; but it does not appear that all were ultimately satisfied, as we know there were serious disputes in the Church afterwards on this very subject: see chap. xv. 5, &c., where Christian believers, from among the Pharisees, insisted that it was necessary to circumcise the converted Gentiles, and cause them to keep the law of Moses. This opinion was carried much farther in the Church at Jerusalem afterwards, as may be seen at large in chap. xxi. 21, &c.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 18. When they heard these things , etc.] Peters vision at Joppa, and Corneliuss at Caesarea, and the wonderful pouring forth of the Spirit upon these Gentiles under Peters sermon: they held their peace ; and ceased contending and disputing with Peter, or blaming him for his conduct; for otherwise they were not silent, but made use of their tongues: and glorified God ; praised his name, adored his rich grace, and gave him the glory of all the wonderful things related to them: saying, then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life .
The phrase unto life, is left out in the Ethiopic version, which only reads, God hath also given to the Gentiles that they should repent; but it ought not to be omitted, being in the Greek copies in general, and of considerable moment, rightly understood; the Arabic version directs to a wrong sense of it, perhaps God hath given also to the Gentiles repentance, that they may live by it; the word perhaps, is very wrongly put instead of then, which affirms that God had given them repentance, whereas this makes a doubt of it; and upon a supposition of it, the version ascribes too much to it; for it is not by repentance that men live spiritually, but by faith in Christ Jesus; nor do they obtain eternal life by it, but by Christ; though true repentance is an evidence of spiritual life, and it begins with it, for as soon as ever God quickens a sinner, he shows him the evil of sin, and gives him repentance for it: repentance here designs the grace of evangelical repentance, which is attended with faith in Christ, as it was in these Gentiles, and with views of pardon in Christ, and which springs from the love of God, and this is unto life; is a repentance from dead works, and is attended with a life of faith, and issues in eternal life: and it is also a grant from God; it is not in the power of mans free will, who though he may have time and means, yet if he has not grace given him to repent, he never will; his heart is hard and obdurate, and no means will do without an almighty power; not the most severe judgments, nor the greatest mercies, nor the most powerful ministry; it is a pure gift of Gods free grace, and a blessing of the covenant of grace: and this being given to Gentiles, shows that the covenant of grace belongs to them, as well as to the Jews; and discovers a false opinion of the Jews, that the Gentiles should not be saved; and answers the design of the Gospel being sent among them, whereby the doctrines both of repentance and remission are preached unto them; and opens the glorious mystery of the calling of them, and may encourage sinners of the Gentiles to hope for this grace, and apply to Christ for it, who is exalted to give it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-18 - The imperfect state of human nature strongly appears, when godl persons are displeased even to hear that the word of God has bee received, because their own system has not been attended to. And we ar too apt to despair of doing good to those who yet, when tried, prove very teachable. It is the bane and damage of the church, to shut ou those from it, and from the benefit of the means of grace, who are no in every thing as we are. Peter stated the whole affair. We should a all times bear with the infirmities of our brethren; and instead of taking offence, or answering with warmth, we should explain ou motives, and show the nature of our proceedings. That preaching i certainly right, with which the Holy Ghost is given. While men are very zealous for their own regulations, they should take care that they d not withstand God; and those who love the Lord will glorify him, when made sure that he has given repentance to life to any fellow-sinners Repentance is God's gift; not only his free grace accepts it, but his mighty grace works it in us, grace takes away the heart of stone, an gives us a heart of flesh. The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit.
Greek Textus Receptus
ακουσαντες 191 5660 V-AAP-NPM δε 1161 CONJ ταυτα 5023 D-APN ησυχασαν 2270 5656 V-AAI-3P και 2532 CONJ εδοξαζον 1392 5707 V-IAI-3P τον 3588 T-ASM θεον 2316 N-ASM λεγοντες 3004 5723 V-PAP-NPM αραγε 686 PRT και 2532 CONJ τοις 3588 T-DPN εθνεσιν 1484 N-DPN ο 3588 T-NSM θεος 2316 N-NSM την 3588 T-ASF μετανοιαν 3341 N-ASF εδωκεν 1325 5656 V-AAI-3S εις 1519 PREP ζωην 2222 N-ASF
Robertson's NT Word Studies
11:18 {Held their peace} (hesucasan). Ingressive aorist active indicative of hesucazw, old verb to be quiet, to keep quiet. The wrangling (verse #2) ceased. The critics even "glorified God" (edoxasan, ingressive aorist again). {qen to the Gentiles also} (ara kai tois eqnesin). ergo as in #Lu 11:20,48 and like ara oun in #Ro 5:18. In ancient Greek inferential Ara cannot come at the beginning of a clause as here. It was reluctant acquiescence in the undoubted fact that God had "granted repentance unto life" to these Gentiles in Caesarea, but the circumcision party undoubtedly looked on it as an exceptional case and not to be regarded as a precedent to follow with other Gentiles. Peter will see in this incident (#Ac 15:8) the same principle for which Paul contends at the Jerusalem Conference. Furneaux suggests that this conduct of Peter in Caesarea, though grudgingly acquiesced in after his skilful defence, decreased his influence in Jerusalem where he had been leader and helped open the way for the leadership of James the Lord's brother.
