SEV Biblia, Chapter 10:2
pío y temeroso de Dios con toda su casa, y que hacía muchas limosnas al pueblo, y oraba a Dios siempre.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 10:2
Verse 2. A devout man] eusebhv, from eu, well, and sebomai, I worship. A person who worships the true God, and is no idolater. One that feared God] foboumenov ton qeon, 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 ver. 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 honour 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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 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 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - Hitherto none had been baptized into the Christian church but Jews Samaritans, and those converts who had been circumcised and observe the ceremonial law; but now the Gentiles were to be called to partak all the privileges of God's people, without first becoming Jews. Pur and undefiled religion is sometimes found where we least expect it Wherever the fear of God rules in the heart, it will appear both i 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 befor Cornelius knew him, as is the case with us all when we, who before wer dead in sin, are made alive. Through Christ also his prayers and alm were accepted, which otherwise would have been rejected. Withou dispute or delay Cornelius was obedient to the heavenly vision. In the affairs of our souls, let us not lose time.
Greek Textus Receptus
ευσεβης 2152 A-NSM και 2532 CONJ φοβουμενος 5399 5740 V-PNP-NSM τον 3588 T-ASM θεον 2316 N-ASM συν 4862 PREP παντι 3956 A-DSM τω 3588 T-DSM οικω 3624 N-DSM αυτου 846 P-GSM ποιων 4160 5723 V-PAP-NSM τε 5037 PRT ελεημοσυνας 1654 N-APF πολλας 4183 A-APF τω 3588 T-DSM λαω 2992 N-DSM και 2532 CONJ δεομενος 1189 5740 V-PNP-NSM του 3588 T-GSM θεου 2316 N-GSM διαπαντος 1275 ADV
Vincent's NT Word Studies
2. Devout (eusebhv). See on godliness, 2 Pet. i. 3.Prayed (deomenov). See on prayers, Luke v. 33.
" Unheard by all but angel ears The good Cornelius knelt alone, Nor dream'd his prayers and tears Would help a world undone.
" The while upon his terrac'd roof The lov'd apostle to his Lord, In silent thought aloof For heavenly vision soared." Keble, Christian Year.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
10:2 {Devout} (eusebes). Old word from eu (well) and sebomai (to worship, to reverence), but rare in the N.T. (#Ac 10:2,7; 2Pe 2:1). It might refer to a worshipful pagan (#Ac 17:23, sebasmata, objects of worship), but connected with "one that feared God" (foboumenos ton qeon) Luke describes "a God-fearing proselyte" as in #10:22,35. this is his usual term for the Gentile seekers after God (#13:16, 26;17:4,17, etc.), who had come into the worship of the synagogue without circumcision, and were not strictly convert, though some call such men "convert of the gate" (cf. #Ac 13:43); but clearly Cornelius and his family were still regarded as outside the pale of Judaism (#10:28,34; 11:1,8; 15:7). They had seats in the synagogue, but were not Jews. {Gave much alms} (poiwn eleemosunas pollas). Doing many alms (the very phrase in #Mt 6:2), a characteristic mark of Jewish piety and from a Gentile to the Jewish people. {Prayed} (deomenos). Begging of God. Almsgiving and prayer were two of the cardinal points with the Jews (Jesus adds fasting in his picture of the Pharisee in #Mt 6:1-18).
