Acts 10:2

2 A religious man, and fearing God with all his house, giving much alms to the people and always praying to God.

Acts 10:2 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 10:2

A devout man
A truly religious person, who had forsaken the Roman idolatry and superstition, in which he was brought up:

and one that feared God:
the one only living and true God, the God of Israel; he had the fear of God wrought in his heart, which is a part of the covenant of grace, a blessing of it, and the beginning of wisdom; he was truly a gracious man, a converted person, and who from an internal principle worshipped God externally:

with all his house;
he brought up his family in a religious way, as every good man should; and which was very remarkable in a Gentile, a soldier, and an officer:

which gave much alms to the people;
to the Jews that dwelt at Caesarea, and therefore was of good report among them, and much beloved by them, ( Acts 10:22 ) he had regard to both tables of the law, both to the worship of God, and the love of the neighbour: and prayed to God always; every day, at the usual times of prayer; prayed privately in his closet, and with his family, as well as attended public service of this kind.

Acts 10:2 In-Context

1 And there was a certain man in Caesarea, named Cornelius, a centurion of that which is called the Italian band:

2 A religious man, and fearing God with all his house, giving much alms to the people and always praying to God.

3 This man saw in a vision manifestly, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him and saying to him: Cornelius.

4 And he, beholding him. being seized with fear, said: What is it, Lord? And he said to him: Thy prayers and thy alms are ascended for a memorial in the sight of God.

5 And now send men to Joppe: and call hither one Simon, who is surnamed Peter.