Acts 10:2

A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. A DEVOUT MAN - an uncircumcised convert to the Jewish faith, of whom at this time there were a very great number, AND ONE THAT FEARED GOD WITH ALL HIS HOUSE. Not contented with regulating his own life by religious principle, he had brought his whole household under the influence of revealed religion. WHICH GAVE MUCH ALMS TO THE PEOPLE - that is, the Jewish people; and did so, no doubt, on the same principle which actuated another centurion before him (), thinking it no "great thing" that they who had 'sown unto him spiritual things should reap his carnal things' (), AND PRAYED TO GOD ALWAY...

2.He saith that he was a godly man, and one that feared God; secondly, that like a good householder he had a care to instruct his families; he praiseth him afterward for the offices of love, because he was beneficial [beneficent] toward all the people; and, lastly, that he prayed [to] God continually. The sum is this, that Cornelius was a man of singular virtues, wherein the integrity of the godly consisteth, so that his life was framed, in all points, according to the rule which God prescribeth unto us. And because the law is contained in two tables, Luke commendeth, in the former place, Cornelius’ godliness; secondly, he descendeth unto the second part, that he exercised the offices of love toward men. This is very profitable to be marked, because we have a way to live well described in his person. Wherefore, in ordering the life well, let faith and religion be the foundation, which be...

1-8 Hitherto none had been baptized into the Christian church but Jews, Samaritans, and those converts who had been circumcised and observed the ceremonial law; but now the Gentiles were to be called to partake all the privileges of God's people, without first becoming Jews. Pure and undefiled religion is sometimes found where we least expect it. Wherever the fear of God rules in the heart, it will appear both in works of charity and of piety, neither will excuse from the other. Doubtless Cornelius had true faith in God's word, as far as he understood it, though not as yet clear faith in Christ. This was the work of the Spirit of God, through the mediation of Jesus, even before Cornelius knew him, as is the case with us all when we, who before were dead in sin, are made alive. Through Christ also his prayers and alms were accepted, which otherwise would have been rejected. Without dispu...

Verse Acts 10:2. A _DEVOUT_ MAN] ευσεβης, from ευ, _well_, and σεβομαι, _I worship_. A person who _worships the true God_, and is no _idolater_. _ONE THAT FEARED GOD_] φοβουμενος τον θεον, One who was acquainted with the true God, by means of his word and laws; who respected these laws, and would not dare to offend his Maker and his Judge. This is necessarily implied in _the fear of God_. _WITH ALL HIS HOUSE_] He took care to instruct his family in the knowledge which he himself had received; and to establish the worship of God in his house. _GAVE MUCH ALMS_] His love to God led him to love men; and this love proved its sincerity by acts of beneficence and charity. _PRAYED TO GOD ALWAY._] Felt himself a dependent creature; knew he had no go

A DEVOUT MAN - Pious, or one who maintained the worship of God. See the notes on Luke 2:25. Compare Acts 2:5; Acts 8:2. AND ONE THAT FEARED GOD - This is often a designation of piety. See notes on Acts 9:31. It has been supposed by many that the expressions here used denote that Cornelius was a Jew, or was instructed in the Jewish religion, and was a proselyte. But this by no means follows. It is probable that there might have been among the Gentiles a few at least who were fearers of God, and who maintained his worship according to the light which they had. So there may be now persons found in paga

EXPOSITION ACTS 10:1 Now _there was _(two last words in italics) for _there was _(in roman), A.V. and T.R.; _Cornelius by name _for _called Cornelius, _A.V. A glance at the map will show that Caesarea (see note to Acts 9:30) was but a short distance, some thirty miles, from Joppa. It was doubtless with a view to Peter's momentous errand to Caesarea that Luke recorded his previous visit to Lydda and his residence at Joppa, consequent upon the restoring of Dorcas to life: the _origines _of Gentile Christianity being the prime object of the Acts (see Introduction to the Acts). THE ITALIAN BAND; or, _cohort _(σπείρα). The σπείρα, or cohort, was used in two _senses. _When spoken of strictly Roman troops, it meant the ten

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 o

CHAPTER 10 _ 1. Cornelius of Caesarea and his Preparation (Acts 10:1)._ 2. The Trance-vision of Peter (Acts 10:9). 3. Peter with Cornelius at Caesarea (Acts 10:17). 4. Peter Preaching to the Gentiles (Acts 10:34). 5. The Interrupted Message (Acts 10:44). The ending of the preceding chapter tells us that Peter tarried in Joppa in the house of Simon the tanner. Was he breaking with his Jewish law and customs? Tanning as a trade was considered unclean by the Jews. In...

ACTS 10. THE CONVERSION OF CORNELIUS. This incident is parallel to the conversion of the Ethiopian by Philip; both show the extension of the Gospel beyond the Jews, and prepare for the story of the Pauline mission. On the opening vision _cf. Acts 8:26_, Acts 16:9; Galatians 2:2. See also p. 767. ACTS 10:1. THE ITALIAN BAND has been much discussed. The points are stated by Schmiedel (EBi. 908). Mommsen considers that the Italian band cannot be identified. Cornelius is introduced as a Gentile adherent of the Jewish religion. Devout is to be taken in the Jewish sense; fearing the Lord, he reverenced the God of Judaism by attending the synagogu

There was a man in Caesarea called Cornelius. He was a centurion in the battalion called the Italian battalion. He was a devout man and a God-fearer with all his household. He did many an act of charity to the people and he was constant in prayer to God. About three o'clock in the afternoon in a vision he clearly saw the angel of God coming to him and saying, "Cornelius." He gazed at him and he was awe-stricken. He said, "What is it, sir?" He said to him, "Your prayers and your works of mercy have gone up to God for a memorial; so now, send men to Joppa, and send for a man called Simon who is also called Peter. He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is on the sea-shore." When the angel who was speaking to him went away, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his orderlies. He told them everything and despatched them to Joppa. Acts 10:1-48 tells