John Calvin Commentary Acts 10:7

"And when the angel that spake unto him was departed, he called two of his household-servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;" — Acts 10:7 (ASV)

And after that the angel. Luke declares here how ready Cornelius was to obey, since he makes no delay but does with all diligence what he was commanded to do. This was the reason he was so prompt: because he believed the promise, just as lack of faith is the reason we are so slow to follow God. Angels do not come flying to us from heaven to appoint certain men for us, but that voice of Christ sounds in everyone's ears.

Seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you (Matthew 7:7).

How is it that out of a hundred, scarcely one or two will stir one foot, or that some creep so little that they gain only a little? Is it not because we do not truly believe the promise? Therefore, let us learn that we must not put things off from day to day, but everyone must hasten to where he is called, as soon as he hears the voice of God.

Two of his servants. Cornelius had this reward for being so diligent in teaching his family: he had faithful and honest servants who were willing to serve him, and such that he could entrust anything to them.

On the other hand, the Lord often punishes masters with just punishments who neglect to instruct their families. For they find those whom they would not train in godliness and the fear of God to be justly stubborn and unfaithful, and they also live in fear of their treachery.

A godly soldier. Since this soldier spent much time with Cornelius, Cornelius had also taught him to fear God, just as he had taught his household servants. It is fitting here that we recall what I mentioned before: that there is no kind of life which excuses us from worshipping God purely.

For a soldier’s life was at that time very corrupt; they had fallen from ancient discipline into filthy licentiousness. And yet, the Spirit of God testifies in this passage to the godliness of soldiers.

Therefore, there is no reason why those who would, by one means or another, seek to be free from all righteousness should demand a calling exempt from worshipping God under the pretext of warfare. If they deny that they can serve God because they are soldiers, they will have these two soldiers as fitting judges and witnesses against them on the last day, who will condemn them.

And in the meantime, those brain-sick people are condemned who cry out that it is unlawful for Christians to carry weapons. For these men were warriors, and yet godly; and when they embraced Christ, they did not forsake their former way of life. They did not cast away their armor as harmful, nor did they forsake their calling.