Acts 10:35
What does Acts 10:35 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 10:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 10:35 means
Building on his declaration of God's impartiality, Peter clarifies that in every nation, anyone who fears God and works righteousness is acceptable to Him. This does not mean salvation by works, but rather that an authentic heart seeking God, regardless of ethnic origin, finds favor with Him and is prepared to receive the gospel. This statement expands the divine invitation, demonstrating God's consistent character of seeking responsive hearts among all humanity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But in every nation, the man who has fear of him and does righteousness is pleasing to him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862but in every nation he who is fearing Him, and is working righteousness, is acceptable to Him;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But in every nation, he that feareth him and worketh justice is acceptable to him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890but in every nation he that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.
Context
Following Peter's declaration of God's impartiality, this verse explains *who* is acceptable to God, clarifying that it's about a heart that fears God and works righteousness, not ethnicity. This further elaborates on God's inclusive nature, setting the theological groundwork. This prepares the way for Peter to connect these receptive hearts with the specific message of salvation through Jesus Christ, which he begins in the very next verse.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Job 28:28
And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.
- Hebrews 11:4
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness in respect of his gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaketh.
- Philippians 3:3
for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh:
- Isaiah 56:3
Neither let the foreigner, that hath joined himself to Jehovah, speak, saying, Jehovah will surely separate me from his people; neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
- Acts 9:31
So the church throughout all Judæa and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied.
- Romans 2:13
for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified;
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