Acts 10:2 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

A devout man, &c.— Cornelius had distinguished himself by his great virtue, piety, and charity, and was well prepared for the reception of the gospel, as the proselytes of the gate were in general above all sorts of people. The ceremonial law most grievously entangled the minds of the Jews; and, by means of their strong prejudices, their attachment to it degenerated into the greatest superstition. The idolatrous Gentiles, by their ignorance and wickedness, which were exceedingly supported by their idolatry, were with much difficulty brought to embrace Christianity; whereas the devout Gentiles had cast off idolatry, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, had not submitted to the ceremonial part of the Jewish law. Thus were they prepared in general; but the uncommon virtues and great piety of Cornelius rendered him a proper person to begin with, among that well-disposed set of people. He excelled in piety towards God, and benevolence towards mankind, even to men of different sects, without confining his charity to persons of his own sentiment and party; for he is said to have given much alms to the people, especially, no doubt, to the Jews, to whom he was in some measure attached; as well as to have prayed to God alway, and especially at those hours of the day at which the Jews used to offer up their prayers. The great God, the wise and benevolent governor of the world, in pitching upon a person who was through grace so pious in himself, and so charitable to the Jews, made the gradationas gentle as possible; and began with one of the fittest persons in the world, when he was about to unite Jew and Gentile into one church and body, through Jesus Christ, the prince of peace: it was indeed with great difficulty that the Jewish converts were brought to bear with the admission of one uncircumcised Gentile; but if they could bear with any, they must own, that one of Cornelius's virtue and charity was the most proper person among all the Gentiles: and when they came to reflect upon it, surely they could not help admiring the divine condescension, in stooping to their prejudices, and so graciously bearing with their infirmities.