For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Read Chapter 2
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
The promise is to you. The good tidings of salvation were first announced to the Jew, then to the Gentile; first to the domestics, then to the strangers, who are far off. It is rather singular, that St. Peter, after here so clearly shewing that the Gentiles are called to the faith, should afterwards have made such objections to go to baptize Cornelius, because he was a Gentile. This can only be reconciled, by supposing, he did not know distinctly the time nor the manner of their vocation. (Calmet)
He next gives a persuasive turn to his address, adding, For the promise is to you: for he had spoken of a promise above. And to your children, he says: the gift is greater, when these are to be heirs of the blessings. And to all, he continues, and for all who are far away: if to those that are afar off, much more to you that are near: even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Observe the time he takes for saying, To those that are afar off. It is when he finds them conciliated and self-accusing. For when the soul pronounces sentence against itself, no longer can it feel envy.
