| Barnes' Notes on the Bible Without gainsaying - without "saying anything against it"; without hesitation or reluctance. I ask, therefore ... - The main design for which Cornelius had sent for him had been mentioned to Peter by the messenger, Acts 10:22. But Peter now desired from his own lips a more particular statement of the considerations which had induced him to send for him. For what intent - For what purpose or design. Clarke's Commentary on the BibleI ask - for what intent ye have sent for me? - Peter had been informed of this by the servants of Cornelius, Acts 10:22; but, as all the company might not have been informed of the circumstances, he, as it were, invites him to tell his story afresh, that his friends, etc., might be the better prepared to receive the truth, which he was about to dispense, in obedience to his Divine commission. Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleTherefore came I unto you, without gainsaying,.... Readily and cheerfully, without objecting to it, or saying one word against it, or making any excuse to put it off: as soon as I was sent for: he immediately consented to go, as soon as ever the messengers from Cornelius acquainted him with their message, being previously directed so to do by the Spirit of God; though he did not set out with them till the next day, it being more suitable and convenient: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? this he said, not as ignorant of the true cause, for he had inquired of the messengers, who had informed him of the reason of it; but he was willing to have it from the mouth of Cornelius himself; not only for further confirmation's sake, but for order sake, to lead him on regularly to what he had to say. Vincent's Word StudiesWith what intent (τίνι λόγω) More strictly, for what reason. Geneva Study BibleTherefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? Wesley's Notes 10:29 I ask for what intent ye have sent for me? - St. Peter knew this already. But he puts Cornelius on telling the story, both that the rest might be informed, and Cornelius himself more impressed by the narration: the repetition of which, even as we read it, gives a new dignity and spirit to Peter's succeeding discourse, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary29. I ask therefore, &c.-The whole speech is full of dignity, the apostle seeing in the company before him a new brotherhood, into whose devout and inquiring minds he was divinely directed to pour the light of new truth. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary10:19-33 When we see our call clear to any service, we should not be perplexed with doubts and scruples arising from prejudices or former ideas. Cornelius had called together his friends, to partake with him of the heavenly wisdom he expected from Peter. We should not covet to eat our spiritual morsels alone. It ought to be both given and taken as kindness and respect to our kindred and friends, to invite them to join us in religious exercises. Cornelius declared the direction God gave him to send for Peter. We are right in our aims in attending a gospel ministry, when we do it with regard to the Divine appointment requiring us to make use of that ordinance. How seldom ministers are called to speak to such companies, however small, in which it may be said that they are all present in the sight of God, to hear all things that are commanded of God! But these were ready to hear what Peter was commanded of God to say. |