Acts 10:22

Cornelius the centurion. The description given by his messengers seems to imply that Cornelius was not altogether unknown at Joppa. Peter may have been reminded of the other centurion, whose name is not recorded, who was stationed at Capernaum and had built a synagogue for the Jews. With that recollection there would come back to his memory the words that his Master had spoken, in praising the centurion’s faith, that “many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.”

One that feareth God. See on verse 2.

Of good report. That is, on account of the alms he had given and his evident reverence for the true God. Not only among the general populace of Caesarea was the piety of Cornelius known, but among all the Jews.

Was warned from God. Greek chrematizo, “to advise.” This word was employed repeatedly by pagan writers for answering by an oracle. Josephus uses it a number of times for God’s speaking to men, and in the present passage this is clearly its meaning. It is used of admonitions to the wise men, to Joseph, of the revelation given to Simeon, and of the divine messages sent to Moses and to Noah. Consequently the KJV has rendered the one word as “was warned from God.”

To hear words. That is, to learn from Peter what God would have Cornelius do.