Acts 10:25Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

By doing this, Cornelius manifests his humility, teaches the others, gives thanks to God, and shows that although he had received a command, he also had great piety within himself. "And falling at his feet, he worshiped." See how his speech is always free from flattery and filled with humility. In this same way that eunuch also showed himself worthy. He invited Philip to come up and sit in the chariot, although he did not know who he was, except after the explanation of the prophecy. But this man even fell at his feet. Have you seen how free he was from pride?

By the movement of his body Cornelius shows what piety was in his heart. For the hearer goes out to meet his teacher with a pure heart, attentively and eagerly catching the words of faith. One who is slowly drawn to faith is like a bedridden sick man being raised by a physician. But one who, blushing because of the filth of his life, falls on his face shows the signs of both humility and shame, and is rightly worthy to be raised by his instructor.

While waiting for Peter, Cornelius gathered in his house his relatives and close friends, undoubtedly like him in piety and faith. He wished them also to hear the word of salvation.

When Peter approached his house, on the day after he had left Joppa, Cornelius met him while still outside the house.

With reverence he bowed down at his feet as before a heavenly messenger.

But Peter raised him up, saying: arise, I too am a man.

After entering Cornelius's house, Peter first explained to him and to the others present why he had permitted himself to come to them.

As was known to them, according to the law of his people, as it was then understood and interpreted, he ought not to enter into communion with Gentiles.

Yet he was now ready to meet the need for which they had called him.

On this basis the Stundists condemn the Orthodox for the veneration of the saints.

Yet the fact that Peter considered himself unworthy of veneration does not mean that he was in reality unworthy of it.

On the contrary, whoever humbles himself, whoever considers himself an unprofitable servant, thereby exalts himself, Mt 23:12.

We must honor the saints not according to what they think of themselves. Many of them considered themselves the foremost of sinners, as, for example, the Apostle Paul, 1 Tim 1:15.

Rather, we honor them according to the degree to which they surpass us and show us examples of faith and good works.

Besides humility, the Apostle Peter had a special reason to remind Cornelius that he too was a man.

He supposed that Cornelius, as a Gentile not yet enlightened by the light of the true faith, might consider him a divine person, cf. 14:11.

Having learned of the Apostle's approach, Cornelius went out to meet him and fell at his feet.

Peter immediately raised the pious soldier. Undoubtedly to the amazement of the brethren accompanying him, and perhaps even to his own amazement, he broke all the traditions of his life and the national customs of many centuries.

He entered into free conversation with a Gentile in the presence of the centurion's assembled relatives.

He did this not from forgetfulness caused by some special exaltation, but with full consciousness.

He knew that, in doing what until then had been considered impious, he was acting in accordance with divine revelation.

He bowed down, falling at his feet: he bowed at his feet, down to the ground.

As is clear from Peter's answer to this, it was not only the customary expression of honor and respect, especially in the East, shown in special cases to especially honored persons.

Something particular was expressed in this prostration.

Cornelius was probably not yet free from pagan ideas about incarnations of higher powers, or gods, in the form of great men.

Perhaps he considered Peter to be something higher than an ordinary man, a deified man.

Peter probably noticed this from something, or guessed it on the basis of the pagan beliefs known to him.

In turning aside such worship of himself, he briefly tells Cornelius that he, Peter, is also a man, the same as others.

The meeting of the Apostle Peter by Cornelius was very moving and solemn. While waiting for Peter, Cornelius called together his relatives and friends.

When Peter was approaching Cornelius's house, Cornelius went out to meet the Apostle, bowed to him, and fell at his feet.

This was the rendering of the greatest honor, such as was given to God. Therefore Peter hastened to raise him up.

Supposing that Cornelius had an exaggerated idea of him, cf. 14:11, he said to him: arise, I too am a man.

Later, deep bows before the dignitaries of the Church entered into custom. Yet the Apostle's example shows with what humility these bows should be received, but not demanded.

They are directed not to the persons of the dignitaries, but to Him whose representatives they serve.