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I. THE ABSOLUTE IMPARTIALITY OF GOD. The words "God is no respecter of persons" —

1. Do not teach —

(1) That God pays no regard to men. The deist would have us believe this; reason, consciousness, analogy, and the Bible, however, refute it.

(2) That God looks upon men indiscriminately — regards them merely in the mass. No; He looks on each individually.

(3) "That God bestows blessings on some which He denies to others; although this is true, for He has given to each some distinguishing blessing of mind, body, or estate."

2. They do teach that God does not respect persons —

(1) In the same sense that man does. Man's respect for persons is —

(a)  Very limited. How little man knows of his race. God knows the millions.

(b)  Very superficial, whereas God looks at the heart.

(c)  Selfish, whereas God's is beneficent.

(d)  Popular. Man respects those whom the multitudes applaud.

(e)  Adventitious. It is because of what man has rather than what he is.

(2) In the sense of disturbing for any the settled conditions of happiness. The conditions of physical, mental, and moral health are the same to all.

(3) In the sense of limiting His salvation to any particular class. This is what the apostle means here. God's provisions of mercy are for the world.

(a)  The merits of the atonement are sufficient for all.

(b)  The force of moral motive is adapted to all.

(c)  The agency of the Spirit is available to all.

II. THE NECESSARY ELEMENT OF MORAL GOODNESS. "He that feareth God," etc.

1. The fear here, of course, is not the servile, but the filial; it is the fear of a love which casts out all slavish feeling. The word stands here, as elsewhere, to represent that state of mind which God requires from every man. It is a fear that worketh righteousness. It must be of such a character as inspires and secures right conduct in relation to God, man, and the universe. There is a fear toward God that worketh nothing. It just touches the soul occasionally and goes off in a sigh. There is a fear that worketh wrong — a superstitious feeling that leads to an unnatural and intolerant life. The fear that worketh right is alone the genuine thing; it is the essence of moral goodness.

2. This is that in a man which God respects and accepts wherever found. He does not accept a man because of his birth, country, or particular form of worship, or because of his Judaism, Gentilism, or Christianity. He that is right, whether he be a Socrates or a Paul, a Cornelius or a Peter, is accepted of Him. The Bible is full of this truth (2 Kings 22:19; Psalm 34:18; 52:15-19; Deuteronomy 10:12; 1 Samuel 15:22; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:8; Matthew 5:8).

III. THE MEDIATORSHIP OF CHRIST (ver. 36). The Word, i.e., gospel, is God's instrument to generate this rectitude of soul. Peter shows that Christ's mission —

1. Was Divine in its origin.

2. Was redemptive in its purpose.

3. Was universal in its aspect.

4. Involved His death on the Cross, and His resurrection from the dead.

(D. Thomas, D. D.)

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KJV: Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

WEB: Peter opened his mouth and said, "Truly I perceive that God doesn't show favoritism;