Question 1

What does Acts 10:7 mean?

Accepted Answer

Acts 10:7 describes how, after the angel finished speaking to Cornelius and left, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier who regularly served him. This verse shows Cornelius immediately acting on the angel’s instructions by gathering trusted people from his household. Cornelius, a Roman centurion living in Caesarea, has just experienced a vision where an angel spoke to him. The verse highlights his prompt obedience and the trust he places in his close circle—two household servants and a soldier described as "devout," meaning religiously committed. This sets the stage for the next part of the story, where Cornelius sends these men to find Peter, as the angel directed.

Question 2

The Greek behind Acts 10:7

Accepted Answer

The word for "devout" is εὐσεβῆ (eusebē), which means someone who is reverent or deeply religious. This tells us that Cornelius chose a soldier who shared his respect for God, not just any subordinate. The phrase "waited on him continually" comes from προσκαρτερούντων (proskarterountōn), which means to be devoted to or to attend constantly. This suggests these men were not just casual acquaintances but were regularly and faithfully serving Cornelius.

Question 3

Why Acts 10:7 matters

Accepted Answer

Acts 10:7 shows Cornelius’s immediate and practical response to a divine message, emphasizing his faith and readiness to act. The verse highlights that Cornelius surrounded himself with people who shared his devotion, which helps explain why God chose to work through him in this story. This moment sets up the important meeting between Cornelius’s household and Peter, which becomes a turning point in the early Christian movement as the gospel begins to reach non-Jews.

Acts 10:7 (KJV)