Charles Ellicott Commentary Acts 10:22

"And they said, Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man and one that feareth God, and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews, was warned [of God] by a holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words from thee." — Acts 10:22 (ASV)

Cornelius the centurion.—The description seems to imply that the name of the soldier-convert was not altogether unknown at Joppa. It would inevitably remind Peter of that other centurion, whose name is not recorded, who was stationed at Capernaum and had built the synagogue (Luke 7:5). With that recollection, Peter would also remember the words his Master had spoken concerning the faith that was greater than any he had found in Israel, words proclaiming that many should come from east and west and north and south, and sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of God (Matthew 8:11).

One that feareth God.—The term was almost a technical one, describing Gentile converts who were considered "proselytes of the gate" (Compare Acts 10:2, Acts 10:35, and Acts 13:16).

Of good report among all the nation of the Jews.—St. Luke’s policy of conciliation, if one may say so, is evident in the emphasis placed on this fact. As in the case of Ananias receiving the Apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:10), so too with Cornelius, any potential cause for offense was, as far as possible, guarded against by the testimony to his character from Jews themselves.