Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 10:35

"but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him." — Acts 10:35 (ASV)

But in every nation... This is given as a reason for what Peter had just said: that God was no respecter of persons. The meaning is that he now perceived that God's favours were not confined to the Jews but might be extended to all others on the same principle.

The remarkable circumstances here—the vision to him and to Cornelius, and the declaration that Cornelius's alms were accepted—now convinced Peter that God's favours were no longer to be confined to the Jewish people but might be extended to all. This was what the vision was designed to teach, and communicating this to the apostles was an important step in their work of spreading the gospel.

In every nation. Among all people, Jews or Gentiles. Acceptance with God does not depend on the fact of being descended from Abraham, or of possessing external privileges, but on the state of the heart.

He that feareth him. This stands for piety towards God in general. (See Barnes on Acts 9:31).

It means that he who honours God and keeps His law—that is, a true worshipper of God, according to the light and privileges which he has—is approved by Him, as giving evidence that he is His friend.

And worketh righteousness. This means doing what is right and just. This refers to his conduct towards man—the person who conscientiously discharges his duty to his fellow men and shows by his conduct that he is a righteous man. These two things comprehend the whole of religion, the sum of all God's requirements—piety towards God and justice towards men. And as Cornelius had shown these, he demonstrated that, though a Gentile, he was motivated by true piety. We may observe here:

1. that it is not said that Cornelius was accepted because of his good works. Those works were simply an evidence of true piety in the heart, a proof that he feared and loved God, and not a meritorious ground of acceptance.
2. He improved the light which he had.
3. He embraced the Saviour when He was offered to him. This circumstance makes an essential difference between the case of Cornelius and those who depend on their morality in Christian lands. They do not embrace the Lord Jesus, and they are, therefore, totally unlike the Roman centurion. His example should not be pleaded, therefore, by those who neglect the Saviour, for it provides no evidence that they will be accepted when they are totally unlike him.