Acts 10:2

“A devout man, etc.] 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…”

“A devout man, &c.--an uncircumcised Gentile proselyte to the Jewish faith, of whom there were a very great number at this time; a distinguished proselyte, who had brought his whole household establishment under the hallowing influence of the Jewish faith and the regular observance of its principal seasons of worship. gave much alms to the people--that is, the Jewish people, on the same principle as another centurion before him (Luk 7:5); thinking it no "great thing," if they had "sown unto him spiritual things, that they should reap his carnal things" (Co1 9:11). prayed to God alway--at the stated daily seasons. (See on Act 10:3).”

“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 pagan lands who in some unknown way have been taught the evils of idolatry and the necessity of a…”

“Who gave much alms to the people - That is, to the Jews, many of whom were at that time extremely poor. Acts 10:3”

“10:2 a devout, God-fearing man: Gentiles who are described as God-fearing were attracted to the high ethical standards of Judaism but were not prepared to accept the rite of circumcision or the full implications of the Jewish law by becoming full converts to Judaism (cp. 13:43). Christianity was an attractive option to Gentiles who worshiped God (18:7; see 13:48; 16:30; 17:4, 12, 17). These people would be wide open to the message of the gospel that announced that “there is peace with God through Jesus Christ” (10:36).”

“devout: Act 10:7, Act 10:22, Act 2:5, Act 8:2, Act 13:50, Act 16:14, Act 22:12; Luk 2:25 one: Act 10:35, Act 9:31, Act 13:16, Act 13:26; Kg1 8:43; Ch2 6:33; Job 1:1; Psa 102:15; Ecc 7:18; Isa 59:19; Dan 6:26; Rev 15:4 with: Act 10:7, Act 16:15, Act 18:8; Gen 18:19; Jos 24:15; Job 1:5; Psa 101:6-8 which: Act 10:4, Act 10:22, Act 10:31, Act 9:36; Psa 41:1; Isa 58:7, Isa 58:8; Luk 7:4, Luk 7:5; Rom 15:26, Rom 15:27; Co2 9:8-15 and prayed: Act 9:11; Psa 25:5, Psa 25:8, Psa 25:9, Psa 55:17, Psa 86:3 \*marg. Psa 88:1, Psa 119:2; Pro 2:3-5; Dan 6:10, Dan 6:16, Dan 6:20; Mat 7:7, Mat 7:8; Luk 18:1; Col 4:2; Th1 5:17; Jam 1:5 Acts 10:3”