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.
Acts 10:2 in other translations
| BSB | He and all his household were devout and God-fearing. He gave generously to the people and prayed to God regularly. |
|---|---|
| WEB | 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. |
| ASV | a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. |
| YLT | pious, and fearing God with all his house, doing also many kind acts to the people, and beseeching God always, |
| DARBY | pious, and fearing God with all his house, both giving much alms to the people, and supplicating God continually, |
| BBE | 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. |
| Webster | A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. |
What does Acts 10:2 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 10:1-2
Ac 10:1-48. Accession and Baptism of Cornelius and His Party; or, The First-fruits of the Gentiles. We here enter on an entirely new phase of the Christian Church, the "opening of the door of faith to the Gentiles"; in other words, the recognition of Gentile, on terms of perfect equality with Jewish, discipleship without the necessity of circumcision. Some beginnings appear to have been already made in this…
Barnes' Notes
And one that feared God. This is often a designation of piety. Acts 9:31. It has been supposed by many that the expressions here used denote that Cornelius was 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; the necessity of a purer religion; and who may be prepared to receive the gospel. The Sandwich Islands were very much in this state when the American missionaries first visited them. They had thrown away their idols, and seemed to be waiting for the message of mercy and the word of eternal life, as Cornelius was. A few other instances have been found by missionaries in heathen lands, who have thus been prepared by a train of providential events, or by the teaching of the Spirit, for the gospel of Christ.
With all his house. With all his family. It is evident here that Cornelius instructed his family, and exerted his influence to train them in the fear of God. True piety will always lead a man to seek the salvation of his family.
Much alms. Large and liberal charity. This is always an effect of piety. See Jas 1:27, Ps 41:1.
Prayed to God alway. Constantly; meaning that he was in the regular habit of praying to God. Comp. Rom 12:12, Lk 18:1, Ps 119:2, Prov 2:2-5. As no particular kind of prayer is mentioned except secret prayer, we are not authorized to affirm that he offered prayer in any other manner. It may be observed, however, that he who prays in secret will usually pray in his family; and as the family of Cornelius is mentioned as being also under the influence of religion, it is perhaps not a forced inference that he observed family worship.
(+) "devout" "pious" (f) "man" Acts 8:2, 22:12 (g) "feared" Eccl 7:18
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 10:1-8
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…
Acts 10:2 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Acts 10:2
- Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
- Acts 10:4
And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
- Acts 10:22
And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
- Acts 13:16
Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
- Acts 10:35
But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
- Isaiah 58:7-8
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.
- Acts 10:7
And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
- Acts 8:2
And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
- Revelation 15:4
Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
- Acts 18:8
And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
- Daniel 6:16
Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.
- Luke 2:25
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
7,22; 2:5; 8:2; 13:50; 16:14; 22:12; Lu 2:25
one.
35; 9:31; 13:16,26; 1Ki 8:43; 2Ch 6:33; Job 1:1; Ps 102:15; Ec 7:18
Isa 59:19; Da 6:26; Re 15:4
with.
7; 16:15; 18:8; Ge 18:19; Jos 24:15; Job 1:5; Ps 101:6-8
which.
4,22,31; 9:36; Ps 41:1; Isa 58:7,8; Lu 7:4,5; Ro 15:26,27
2Co 9:8-15
and prayed.
9:11; Ps 25:5,8,9; 55:17; 86:3; *marg:
Ps 88:1; 119:2; Pr 2:3-5; Da 6:10,16,20; Mt 7:7,8; Lu 18:1; Col 4:2
1Th 5:17; Jas 1:5
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Acts 10:1
There was a certain man in Cesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
- 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.
- Acts 10:3
He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
Acts 10:2 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Pío y temeroso de Dios con toda su casa, y que hacía muchas limosnas al pueblo, y oraba á Dios siempre. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | pieux et craignant Dieu avec toute sa maison, faisant beaucoup d’aumônes au peuple, et priant Dieu continuellement, |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | fromm und gottesfürchtig mit seinem ganzen Hause, der dem Volke viele Almosen gab und allezeit zu Gott betete- |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | religiosus, ac timens Deum cum omni domo sua, faciens eleemosynas multas plebi, et deprecans Deum semper. |