John Calvin Commentary Acts 22:12

"And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews that dwelt there," — Acts 22:12 (ASV)

One Ananias. Paul now proceeds to the fourth point, namely, that he did not only profess Christ, being astonished by miracles, but that he was also well and thoroughly instructed in the doctrine of the gospel. I have already said that Ananias met Paul, not by chance, but through the direction of Christ.

And when Paul describes Ananias as godly according to the law, and says that he had a good reputation among the whole nation, by these words he forestalls the wrong opinion they might conceive. Just as they loathed the Gentiles, so they would never have accepted any teacher coming from them; and one who had abandoned the law would have been most detestable.

Therefore, Paul testifies that Ananias worshipped God according to the law, and that his godliness was known and commended among all the Jews, so that they should not suspect him. These words, "according to the law," are ignorantly connected by some with the text that follows, namely, that he was approved according to the law. For Ananias’ religion is instead distinguished by this characteristic from the superstitions of the Gentiles.

However, we must note that the law is not mentioned here to establish the merits of works, so that they might be set against the grace of God; rather, Ananias’ godliness is thereby clearly acquitted of all evil suspicion that might have arisen among the Jews. And since he restores Paul’s sight with one word, it is thereby apparent that he was sent by God, as I have said before.