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 CONDITIONS ON WHICH MAN'S WELL-BEING DEPENDS. 1. Moral edification. The apostle desired his hearers now to be built up. The word is architectural. A house is built by plan, and by slow degrees. Paul often speaks of the moral culture of the soul under this figure (1 Corinthians 3:10; 1 Corinthians 12:14; Ephesians 2:20; Colossians 2:7). The soul in depravity is a temple in ruins. It requires to be built up upon the true foundation, and according to the true plan. 2. Holy fellowship. "Give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified." The language implies — (1) That there are sanctified ones. Who are they? All who have truly believed in Christ and experienced a moral renewal of the Holy Ghost are partially sanctified. There are millions who are perfectly sanctified in heaven. John saw them — "a multitude which no man could number."(2) That an inheritance with those sanctified ones is the grand desideratum. The sanctified ones dwell in social harmony, in unclouded intelligence, in spiritual purity, in Divine fellowship. What higher good is there than to have an inheritance with them, not as a matter of sufferance, but as a matter of right; not temporarily, but forever; to "sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," and with the great and good of all ages? II. THE AGENCY BY WHICH THESE CONDITIONS ARE ATTAINED. 1. It works by the gospel: "The word of His grace." The gospel originates in, reveals and produces grace. It is "able to build up" because of the power of God. 2. It is secured by prayer. (D. Thomas, D. D,) 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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