Acts 10:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Do you see that the writer does not say this without purpose, but to show that those who served Cornelius were of the same kind as he was?

"Having called two of his servants and a devout soldier." See that it is not said in vain that these were men who were constantly with him.

Cornelius sent three men to Peter because the Gentiles, who later received the apostolic faith, brought Europe, Asia, and Africa under their sway. They did this partly through military exercises, that is, by fervent preaching, and partly through tasks proper to servants. Notice also that one soldier and two servants are sent. You will find that the stronger members of the Church are fewer. There are more in her who know how to hear the word than who know how to speak it.

The piety and religious devotion of Cornelius drew the mercy of God upon him. Once, when he was praying about the ninth hour, or about three o'clock in the afternoon by our reckoning, an angel of God entered his house in the form of a man in bright clothing (Acts 10:30).

The angel announced God's favor toward him for his fervent prayers and acts of charity. He commanded him to summon Simon Peter from Joppa to his house. He promised that from this man he would hear words by which he and all his household would be saved.

"Two of his servants": the Greek word does not mean strictly a slave, but a person closer to the master of the house, a member of the household. These were probably God-fearing men from Cornelius's house, v. 2. "A devout soldier, one of those in attendance on him": this soldier had the same religious and moral disposition of soul that is noted in his master, v. 2.

The departure of the angel was as evident to Cornelius as his coming. Therefore he had no doubt that it was truly an angel of God who had appeared to him.

He undoubtedly knew from the Jews examples of heavenly beings appearing to men. He knew how reverently one must respond to them, and this is what he did.

He calmly answered the angel's call and humbly listened to his words, with full readiness to carry them out. And immediately, as soon as the angel departed from him, he called two servants and a more honorable soldier.

He told them what had happened to him and sent them to Joppa. Evidently those chosen were worthy of trust. They were also generally worthy to be told so great and precious a mystery of life.