Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Acts 10:34

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons." That is, be he uncircumcised or circumcised. This also Paul declaring, saith, "For there is no respect of persons with God." And Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. This he said also by way of justifying himself with the Jews then present. For, being at the point to commit the Word to these Gentiles, he first puts this by way of apology. What then? …

Homily on Acts 23 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

"Truly I perceive…" I perceive that God does not look at the quality of a person's face, but at the distinction of deeds. By what Peter says, he clearly shows that the God whom Cornelius feared, about whom he received instruction from the law and the prophets, for whose sake he also gave alms — that this God is truly God. He lacked knowledge of the Son. See how he does not allow his thought to become exalted.

Commentary on Acts ↗

Clement of Alexandria

Further, Peter in the Acts says, "Of a truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted by Him." The absence of respect of persons in God is not then in time, but from eternity. Nor had His beneficence a beginning; nor any more is it limited to places or persons. For His beneficence is not confined to parts.

The Stromata Book 6 ↗

Western Saints

Ambrose of Milan

Even if God is merciful, were he always granting the prayers of all he would seem no longer to act freely, but, as it were, like someone under compulsion. Then, since all ask, if he were to hear all, no one would die. How many things do you not ask for daily? Must God's design be destroyed because of you? When you know that a petition cannot always be granted, why do you grieve that sometimes your petition is not obtained?

On the Death of Satyrus 1.65 ↗

Cassiodorus

"And Peter opening his mouth, said," etc. Peter said: "In very deed I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons, but that a man who worketh justice in any nation becometh pleasing to him." Then, continuing with words of the right faith, he preached to them that Jesus Christ was the Lord of all things, whom the Jews had decided to crucify and who, rising again from the dead, had stayed with his disciples for forty days, and all else that the doctrine of the Christian faith required. …

Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles ↗