Acts 20:32

And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

And {G2532} now {G3569}, brethren {G80}, I commend {G3908} you {G5209} to God {G2316}, and {G2532} to the word {G3056} of his {G846} grace {G5485}, which {G3588} is able {G1410} to build you up {G2026}, and {G2532} to give {G1325} you {G5213} an inheritance {G2817} among {G1722} all {G3956} them which are sanctified {G37}.

“And now I entrust you to the care of the Lord and to the message of his love and kindness, for it can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who have been set apart for God.

And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.

And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified.

Acts 20:32 is a poignant part of Paul's farewell address to the Ephesian elders, delivered at Miletus. This verse encapsulates his final charge and blessing, entrusting them to divine care and the transformative power of God's truth as he prepares to depart, knowing he will likely not see them again.

Context

This verse comes at the climax of Paul's emotional meeting with the elders of the church in Ephesus, whom he had called to meet him in Miletus (Acts 20:17). Paul reviews his faithful ministry among them, warns them of future dangers like false teachers (Acts 20:29-30), and encourages them to be vigilant. Knowing he is bound for Jerusalem and facing potential imprisonment or death (Acts 20:22-24), this "commendation" serves as his ultimate pastoral entrustment, highlighting his deep concern for their spiritual well-being and the future of the church.

Key Themes

  • Divine Trust: Paul places the elders and, by extension, the church, directly into God's sovereign care. This act of "commending" (Greek: paratithemi, meaning to entrust or commit to one's charge) signifies Paul's confidence in God's ability to sustain and protect His people even in the absence of their earthly leader.
  • The Power of God's Grace: The "word of his grace" refers to the Gospel message itself, emphasizing God's unmerited favor revealed through Christ. This divine word is presented as the primary instrument for spiritual growth and stability. It is not merely information but a living, active force that empowers believers.
  • Spiritual Edification and Growth: The phrase "able to build you up" (Greek: oikodomēsai, to build a house or edify) underscores the constructive and strengthening work of God's word in the life of a believer. It highlights the process of spiritual maturation and the development of Christian character, preparing believers to stand firm against challenges and to serve effectively. For more on spiritual growth, see Ephesians 4:12.
  • The Believer's Inheritance: The promise of "an inheritance among all them which are sanctified" speaks to the future hope and eternal reward awaiting believers. This inheritance is not earned but given by grace to those whom God has set apart for Himself through faith in Christ. It signifies full participation in the blessings of God's kingdom. Learn more about this spiritual inheritance in Colossians 1:12.

Linguistic Insights

The term "commend" (Greek: paratithemi) carries the sense of placing something valuable into someone's safekeeping, much like depositing money in a bank. Paul is depositing the Ephesian church into the most secure hands possible: God's. The "word of his grace" (Greek: logos tēs charitos autou) emphasizes the Gospel as the message centered on God's undeserved kindness. The term "sanctified" (Greek: hēgiasmenois) refers to those who have been set apart and made holy by God's work, not by their own merit, indicating their special status and belonging to God's family.

Practical Application

Acts 20:32 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that our ultimate security and spiritual development do not depend on human leaders, but on God Himself and His powerful Word. In times of uncertainty or transition, we are called to trust in God's faithfulness and continually immerse ourselves in the Gospel. The "word of His grace" remains the foundational truth that builds us up, equips us for service, and assures us of our eternal inheritance in Christ. It encourages reliance on biblical truth for all aspects of Christian living and ministry.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Colossians 1:12

    ¶ Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

  • Colossians 3:24

    Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

  • Acts 26:18

    To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

  • Ephesians 1:14

    Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

  • Hebrews 9:15

    ¶ And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

  • Ephesians 1:18

    The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

  • Colossians 2:7

    Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

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