Acts 20:32 And now, brothers, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up… I. THE APOSTLE'S COMMENDATION. 1. The term "commend" is not unfrequently employed when we speak of any person in the way of praise or approbation; but this clearly is not the meaning of the word in this place. The apostle employs it to signify committing or entrusting, as when we commit any thing or person to another's care; and perhaps in the sense of recommending or advising, as when we recommend or advise a person to pursue a certain line of conduct. To what and to whom he commends them — (1) "To God." The apostle commits his friends to the Almighty Governor of the world, the special Protector of the Church militant on earth, who, he knew, was ever ready to take charge of them, and to sustain and support them in all dangers and adversities. He was obliged to leave them; but the unslumbering eye of Providence was still over them. (2) "To the word of God's grace." The expression, in this part of the text, considered in connection with what follows, is a little singular, and has given occasion to some slight difference of opinion. By the "word" some have understood the Lord Jesus Christ, who is emphatically styled the "Word." Supposing this to be a legitimate interpretation, the apostle here commends the Ephesian elders more particularly to the Saviour, whose servants they were, and in whose holy cause they were engaged. Others, however, understand from this expression the gospel of Christ; that word of God's grace which brings the knowledge of redemption, and contains tidings of Christ as the Saviour. Put your trust, not only in the power and providence of God, but also in the promises and assurances of His word. II. THE OBJECT HERE PROPOSED BY THE APOSTLE WITH REFERENCE TO HIS FRIENDS. This we gather from the words, "Which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified." Here, again, it is proper to observe that learned commentators are not agreed as. to whether the apostle refers, in this part of the text, to the word "God" in the former part, or to the "word of His grace," which stands in immediate connection with it. Happily, the difference is not very material in a practical point of view. Assuming the antecedent to be "God," the truth of the sentiment, that He is able to build up His people, and give them an inheritance among the sanctified, is obvious. The same observation will apply, if the "Word," as understood of Christ, be taken for the antecedent. Nor, if we understand it to be the "word of God's grace," or "the gospel," is there any obscurity in the passage, or any truth involved at all inconsistent with the former supposition. For, when it is said of the word of the Gospel, that it is able to do for us what the apostle here describes, it is spoken of only as the instrument in the hands of God, whose word it is, and who is Himself the secret and almighty Worker under it. It should ever be borne in mind, that a Divine efficacy is not ascribed to the gospel separate and apart from Divine influence. 1. It is "able to build you up." It is plain, then, that one part of his object, in commending his Ephesian fellow labourers to the word of the gospel of grace, was their edification. If they looked to this word, and drew their instructions and supports from its holy revelations, it would "build them up." The Church of Christ is figuratively styled "God's building"; and each true member is himself a "temple of God," the "temple of the Holy Ghost." But we require to be "built up," and established in the faith. 2. It is "able to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified." From this it is plain that the apostle aimed also at the future glorification of his friends in a brighter world. But how does it appear that the word of the gospel of Christ is able to confer upon the saints this glorious possession? The knowledge of this possession is imparted to the Church of God solely by the word or gospel of grace, which, we are told, has "brought life and immortality to light." Moreover, by that word of grace, as the ordinary channel, the Spirit of Divine illumination is communicated. But, with reference to this glorious possession, one or two points may be briefly noticed. (1) The kingdom of glory, in the heavenly world, is to be regarded by the faithful as their promised inheritance, to which they are the rightful heirs: it is an inheritance like that of the Israelites in Canaan. (2) This inheritance is entailed upon none but those who belong to the number of the saints. I would make two or three short inferential remarks.We may learn from its — 1. How immeasurably superior is the gospel of Jesus Christ to all other systems of religion. Suppose the apostle, when taking leave of the Ephesian elders, had met them for the last time merely as a teacher of pagan superstitions, or as a moral philosopher unacquainted with the discoveries of Divine revelation, what probably would have been the nature of his address to his friends in the prospect of separation? Could he have commended them with the same confidence to the Divine Protector of the universe? Could he have cheered them with the view of a future glorious inheritance? 2. How important is an intimate acquaintance with the gospel to every member of the Church of Christ. 3. How substantial and enduring is the friendship subsisting among those whose union and intercourse are based on genuine religion. (J. S. Jaques.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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