Acts 10:2

a devout man i.e. he was a worshipper of the true God, but had not joined himself to the Jews in the observance of the Law. The language of St Peter in Acts 10:28 shews us that he was not a complete proselyte. Wherever in the N. T. we find mention made of Roman centurions they appear to have been good men, Matthew 8:5; Luke 7:2; Luke 23:47.

and one that feared God with all his house The earnestness of his devotion to God is evidenced by the character of his household. If his family be here meant, he had instructed them in the worship of God, and had provided that those who attended on him should also be of the same character. The soldier, whom he sends to Peter, is called "devout" in Acts 10:7.

which gave much alms to the people i.e. to the Jewish people among whom he was stationed. He was like the centurion (Luke 7:5) of whom the Jews said, "He loveth our nation and hath built us a synagogue."

and prayed to God alway thus shewing himself anxious for greater knowledge of God's way, which from Acts 11:14 we learn must have been the purport of the prayer of Cornelius.