John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. And now send men to Joppa , etc.] Which lay near to Caesarea; and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter : the angel was not sent to instruct Cornelius himself, but to direct him to an apostle of Christ, and minister of the Gospel, who should do it; for not angels, but men, are employed in the ministry of the word, which is the ordinary means of spiritual knowledge, and of increasing it. So the eunuch was instructed by Philip, and Saul by Ananias; which shows the excellency and usefulness of the Gospel ministry and ministers, and what dignity is put upon them, what use should be made of them, and in what esteem they should be had.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - Hitherto none had been baptized into the Christian church but Jews Samaritans, and those converts who had been circumcised and observe the ceremonial law; but now the Gentiles were to be called to partak all the privileges of God's people, without first becoming Jews. Pur and undefiled religion is sometimes found where we least expect it Wherever the fear of God rules in the heart, it will appear both i works of charity and of piety, neither will excuse from the other Doubtless Cornelius had true faith in God's word, as far as he understood it, though not as yet clear faith in Christ. This was the work of the Spirit of God, through the mediation of Jesus, even befor Cornelius knew him, as is the case with us all when we, who before wer dead in sin, are made alive. Through Christ also his prayers and alm were accepted, which otherwise would have been rejected. Withou dispute or delay Cornelius was obedient to the heavenly vision. In the affairs of our souls, let us not lose time.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ νυν 3568 ADV πεμψον 3992 5657 V-AAM-2S εις 1519 PREP ιοππην 2445 N-ASF ανδρας 435 N-APM και 2532 CONJ μεταπεμψαι 3343 5663 V-ADM-2S σιμωνα 4613 N-ASM ος 3739 R-NSM επικαλειται 1941 5743 V-PPI-3S πετρος 4074 N-NSM
Robertson's NT Word Studies
10:5 {Fetch} (metapemyai). First aorist middle (indirect, for one's self) imperative of metapempw, usual voice in ancient Greek with this verb in sense of sending another for one's own sake. Only in Acts in the N.T. See also #10:22.
