Acts 10:2

Verse

He and all his household were devout and God-fearing. He gave generously to the people and prayed to God regularly.

American Standard Version (1901)

a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.

A serious-minded man, fearing God with all his family; he gave much money to the poor, and made prayer to God at all times.

Douay-Rheims 1899

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

Free Bible Version

He was a religious man who, together with everyone in his household, had great reverence for God. He gave generously to the poor, and prayed regularly to God.

Geneva Bible 1599

A deuoute man, and one that feared God with all his housholde, which gaue much almes to the people, and prayed God continually.

King James (Authorized) Version

A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

Plain English Version

He and his family respected God, and they always tried to do things that made God happy. Cornelius gave a lot of money and things to poor people, and he prayed to God every day.

Translation for Translators

He always tried to do what would please God; he and his entire household [MTY] were non-Jews who habitually worshipped God. He sometimes gave money to help poor Jewish people, and he prayed to God regularly.

Unlocked Literal Bible

He was a devout man, one who worshiped God with all his household; he gave much money to those in need, and he constantly prayed to God.

Noah Webster Bible

A devout man , and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.

World English Bible

a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God.

Young's Literal Translation

pious, and fearing God with all his house, doing also many kind acts to the people, and beseeching God always,

Context

Cornelius Sends for Peter

¹At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was called the Italian Regiment.²He and all his household were devout and God-fearing. He gave generously to the people and prayed to God regularly. ³One day at about the ninth hour, he had a clear vision of an angel of God who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”

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Summary

In Acts 10:2, we see Cornelius described as a devout and God-fearing man, along with his entire household. This verse highlights Cornelius' faithfulness, piety, and reverence towards God, setting the stage for the miraculous events that follow. His character serves as an example of someone who seeks God sincerely, even before fully understanding the Gospel. Cornelius' story demonstrates God's inclusivity and willingness to reveal Himself to those who earnestly seek Him, regardless of their background or prior knowledge of the faith.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

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 good but what he had received; and considered God to be the fountain whence he was to derive all his blessings. He prayed to God alway; was ever in the spirit of prayer, and frequently in the act. What an excellent character is this! And yet the man was a Gentile! He was what a Jew would repute common and unclean: see Act 10:28. He was, therefore, not circumcised; but, as he worshipped the true God, without any idolatrous mixtures, and was in good report among all the nation of the Jews, he was undoubtedly what was called a proselyte of the gate, though not a proselyte of justice, because he had not entered into the bond of the covenant by circumcision. This was a proper person, being so much of a Jew and so much of a Gentile, to form the connecting link between both people; and God chose him that the salvation of the Jews might with as little observation as possible be transmitted to the Gentiles. The choice of such a person, through whom the door of faith was opened to the heathen world, was a proof of the wisdom and goodness of God. The man who was chosen to this honor was not a profligate Gentile; nor yet a circumcised proselyte. He was a Gentile, amiable and pure in his manners; and, for his piety and charitableness, held in high estimation among all the nation of the Jews. Against such a person they could not, with any grace, be envious, though God should pour out upon him the gift of the Holy Spirit.