A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
Luke describes a man whose life was framed in all points according to God's rule: faith and religion as the foundation, fear of God and prayer as their fruits, and love poured out toward men. Without faith, all other virtues are mere smoke.
AI summary
Cornelius was the first Gentile deliberately brought into the gospel, a mystery even to the apostles. Mark that he was both great and good, two characters seldom united; yet when they meet, goodness makes greatness truly valuable, and greatness makes goodness far more serviceable to the world.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 10:1-8
Cornelius had forsaken Roman idolatry entirely and worshipped the true God from an internal principle, not mere external ceremony. He brought his whole household into this devotion and gave liberally to the Jews, proving he regarded both tables of the law: worship of God and love of neighbor.
AI summary