Acts 11:18

“When they heard these things, etc.] Peter’s vision at Joppa, and Cornelius’s at Caesarea, and the wonderful pouring forth of the Spirit upon these Gentiles under Peter’s sermon: they held their peace; and ceased contending and disputing with Peter, or blaming him for his conduct; for otherwise they were not silent, but made use of their tongues: and glorified God; praised his name, adored his rich grace, and gave him the glory of all the wonderful things related to them: saying, then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. The phrase “unto life”, is left out in the Ethiopic version, which only reads, “God hath also given to the Gentiles that they should repent”; but it…”

“held their peace and glorified God--Well had it been if, when Paul afterwards adduced equally resistless evidence in justification of the same line of procedure, this Jewish party had shown the same reverential and glad submission! Then hath God also granted to the Gentiles, &c.--rather, "granted to the Gentiles also." (See a similar misplacement of "also" in Heb 12:1). To "grant repentance unto life"--that is, "such as issues in life" (compare Co2 7:10, "repentance unto salvation")--is more than to be willing to pardon upon repentance [GROTIUS]. The case of Cornelius is so manifestly one of grace reigning in every stage of his religious history, that we can hardly doubt that this was just…”

“They held their peace - They were convinced, as Peter had been, by the manifest indications of the will of God. Then hath God ... - The great truth in this manner established that the doors of the church are opened To the entire Gentile world - a truth that was worthy of this remarkable interposition. It at once changed the views of the apostles and of the early Christians; gave them new, large, and liberal conceptions of the gospel; broke down their long-cherished prejudices; taught them to look upon all people as their brethren; impressed their hearts with the truth, never after to be eradicated, that the Christian church was founded for the wide world, and that it opened the same glorious…”

“They glorified God - Being thoroughly satisfied. Repentance unto life - True repentance is a change from spiritual death to spiritual life, and leads to life everlasting. Acts 11:19”

“11:18 Peter’s logical, straightforward explanation convinced those who had objected—they recognized God’s hand at work in the conversion of the Gentiles and their receiving eternal life. However, issues relating to the inclusion of Gentiles would soon provoke a major crisis (15:1-35; Paul’s letter to the Galatians).”

“they held: Lev 10:19, Lev 10:20; Jos 22:30 and glorified: Act 15:3, Act 21:20; Isa 60:21, Isa 61:3; Co2 3:18; Gal 1:24 hath: Act 11:1, Act 13:47, Act 13:48, Act 14:27, Act 22:21, Act 22:22; Rom 3:29, Rom 3:30, Rom 9:30, Rom 10:12, Rom 10:13, Rom 15:9-16; Gal 3:26, Gal 3:27; Eph 2:11-18, Eph 3:5-8 granted: Act 3:19, Act 3:26, Act 5:31, Act 20:21, Act 26:17-20; Jer 31:18-20; Eze 36:26; Zac 12:10; Rom 10:12, Rom 10:13, Rom 15:9, Rom 15:16; Co2 7:10; Ti2 2:25, Ti2 2:26; Jam 1:16, Jam 1:17 Acts 11:19”