Act 10:2 | RWP | e4.org | Devout ( ευσεβης ). Old word from ευ (well) and σεβομα (to worship, to reverence), but rare in the N.T. ( , ; ). It might refer to a worshipful pagan ( , σεβασματα , objects of worship), but connected with "one that feared God" ( φοβουμενος τον θεον ) Luke describes "a God-fearing proselyte" as in , . This is his usual term for the Gentile seekers after God ( , ; , , etc.), who had come into the worship of the synagogue without circumcision, and were not strictly proselytes, though some call such men "proselytes of the gate" (cf. ); but clearly Cornelius and his family were still regarded as outside the pale of Judaism ( , ; , ; ). They had seats in the synagogue, but were not Jews. Gave much alms ( ποιων ελεεμοσυνας πολλας ). Doing many alms (the very phrase in ), a characteristic mark of Jewish piety and from a Gentile to the Jewish people. Prayed ( δεομενος ). 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 ).

‏ Acts 10:2

Devout ( ευσεβης ). Old word from ευ (well) and σεβομα (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, σεβασματα, objects of worship), but connected with "one that feared God" ( φοβουμενος τον θεον ) 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 proselytes, though some call such men "proselytes 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 ( ποιων ελεεμοσυνας πολλας ). 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 ( δεομενος ). 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).