Acts 10:2
What does Acts 10:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 10:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 10:2 means
Cornelius is described as truly devout, fearing God, giving generously to the poor, and maintaining a consistent prayer life—qualities that reflect moral uprightness and genuine spiritual seeking, though he was not a Jew. This depiction emphasizes that his receptivity to God was not a random occurrence but a prepared heart. He represents many Gentiles who, while outside the formal covenant, lived lives that demonstrated a seeking after the one true God, setting the stage for God's surprising initiative to reach them.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.
KJV
King James Version · 1611A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949A serious-minded man, fearing God with all his family; he gave much money to the poor, and made prayer to God at all times.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862pious, and fearing God with all his house, doing also many kind acts to the people, and beseeching God always,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752A religious man, and fearing God with all his house, giving much alms to the people and always praying to God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890pious, and fearingGod with all his house, [both] giving much alms to the people, and supplicatingGod continually,
Context
Following the introduction of Cornelius, this verse details his character, establishing him as a man of piety and good works despite his Gentile status. This framing is important because it shows God responding to a heart already seeking Him. The very next verses describe an angelic visitation, directly prompted by Cornelius's humble devotion, which will initiate the divine plan to connect him with Peter.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Daniel 6:20
And when he came near unto the den to Daniel, he cried with a lamentable voice; the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
- Acts 9:31
So the church throughout all Judæa and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied.
- Psalms 86:3
Be merciful unto me, O Lord; For unto thee do I cry all the day long.
- Acts 10:35
but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him.
- 2 Chronicles 6:33
then hear thou from heaven, even from thy dwelling-place, and do according to all that the foreigner calleth to thee for; that all the peoples of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.
- Psalms 88:1
O Jehovah, the God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee.
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