Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 11:18

"And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life." — Acts 11:18 (ASV)

They held their peace. They were convinced, as Peter had been, by the manifest indications of the will of God.

Then hath God, etc. In this manner, the great truth is established that the doors of the church are opened to the entire Gentile world—a great and glorious truth, worthy of this remarkable intervention.

This truth at once changed the views of the apostles and of the early Christians. It gave them new, large, and liberal conceptions of the gospel, broke down all their long-cherished prejudices, and taught them to look upon all people as their brethren.

It impressed their hearts with the truth, never again to be eradicated, that the Christian church was founded for the wide world. This truth opened the same glorious pathway to life wherever anyone might be found, whether with the narrow prejudice of the Jew or amidst the degradations of the pagan world.

To this truth we owe our hopes. For this, we should thank the God of heaven. And, impressed with it, we should seek to invite the entire world to partake with us of the rich provisions of the gospel of the blessed God.

Held their peace, and glorified God; "were satisfied"; to the Gentiles granted (Romans 10:12, 13; Romans 15:9, 16).