Commending, in the biblical context, refers to the act of entrusting, praising, or recommending someone or something to another, often in a spiritual or moral sense. This concept is seen throughout Scripture, where individuals are commended to God, to the grace of God, or to the service of the church. It involves a recognition of character, faith, or service that is worthy of acknowledgment and trust.

Biblical Instances of Commending:

1. Commending to God:
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul frequently uses the term "commend" in the context of entrusting believers to God's care. In Acts 20:32, Paul says, "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." Here, Paul is entrusting the Ephesian elders to God's protection and guidance, recognizing that it is through God's grace that they will be strengthened and receive their spiritual inheritance.

2. Commending to the Grace of God:
The act of commending is also seen in the context of missionary work and the spread of the Gospel. In Acts 14:26, Paul and Barnabas are described as having been "commended to the grace of God for the work they had now completed." This indicates a formal recognition and entrustment of their mission to God's grace, acknowledging that their success and protection come from Him.

3. Commending Individuals:
Paul often commends individuals to the churches in his epistles, highlighting their faithfulness and service. In Romans 16:1-2, he writes, "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. Welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her in any matter she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me." Here, Paul is recommending Phoebe to the Roman church, affirming her character and service.

4. Commending Oneself:
The concept of self-commendation is addressed by Paul in 2 Corinthians 10:18, where he states, "For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends." This highlights the importance of seeking God's approval rather than self-promotion, emphasizing that true commendation comes from the Lord.

5. Commending in Suffering:
In 1 Peter 2:23, Jesus is presented as the ultimate example of commending oneself to God in the face of suffering: "When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly." This act of entrusting oneself to God during trials is a profound expression of faith and trust in God's righteous judgment.

Theological Implications:

Commending in the biblical sense underscores the importance of trust and reliance on God. It reflects a recognition of God's sovereignty and grace in the lives of believers. Whether it is commending others to God's care, acknowledging the work of fellow believers, or entrusting oneself to God in times of trial, the act of commending is deeply rooted in faith and the acknowledgment of God's ultimate authority and goodness.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Commend.4921. sunistemi and sunistano -- to commend, establish, stand near ...
... Word Origin from sun and histemi Definition to commend, establish, stand near, consist
NASB Word Usage commend (3), commended (1), commending (3), commends (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4921.htm - 8k

But Whereas the Apostle, when Commending the Fruit of Unmarried ...
... Section 7. But whereas the Apostle, when commending the fruit of unmarried
men and women? 7. But whereas the Apostle, when commending ...
/.../augustine/on the good of widowhood /section 7 but whereas the.htm

The Author Himself, However, when Commending These Rules...
... Book 3 Chapter 43. The author himself, however, when commending these
rules? 43. The author himself, however, when commending ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 43 the author himself.htm

The Hands of the Father.
... The last act of our Lord in thus commending his spirit at the close of his life,
was only a summing up of what he had been doing all his life. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the hands of the father.htm

The Unjust Steward
... sure that if the steward cheated his master a second time, the master was foolish
and mistaken, and as it were a partner in the steward's sin by commending him ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xlii the unjust steward.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John vi. 53, "Except Ye Eat the Flesh ...
... Lord's day. 1. We have heard the True Master, the Divine Redeemer, the human
Saviour, commending to us our Ransom, His Blood. For He ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxxi on the words.htm

How a Prop of the Church on which Bishop Aidan was Leaning when He ...
... I have written thus much concerning the character and works of the aforesaid Aidan,
in no way commending or approving his lack of wisdom with regard to the ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xvii how a prop.htm

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Gospel Transcends Law.
... "We, my fellow-apostles and co-laborers and I," he says, "do not ask for letters
and seals from others commending us to you, or from you commending us to others ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twelfth sunday after trinity gospel.htm

Intercessory Prayer
... Four things I would speak of this morning, and yet but one thing; I would speak
upon intercessory prayer thus"first, by way of commending the exercise ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/intercessory prayer.htm

Of the Sensible Showing of the Holy Spirit, and of the Coeternity ...
... For these things are perceived to be laid down in the Scriptures, either on account
of the visible creature; or rather on account of commending to our thoughts ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 21 of the sensible showing.htm

2 Cor. vi. 1, 2
... upon it in any particular. Ver.4. "But in every thing commending ourselves
as ministers of God.". This is far greater. For it is not ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xii 2 cor vi.htm

Commending (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Commend. Multi-Version
Concordance Commending (4 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 4:2 But ...
/c/commending.htm - 7k

Commend (22 Occurrences)
... the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of
God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to ...
/c/commend.htm - 15k

Ourselves (129 Occurrences)
... the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of
God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to ...
/o/ourselves.htm - 38k

Essenes
... The object of Philo's numerous works seems to have been the twofold one of commending
Jewish religious thought to the Greek philosophic society in which he ...
/e/essenes.htm - 38k

Man's (347 Occurrences)
... the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of
God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to ...
/m/man's.htm - 35k

Underhanded (1 Occurrence)
... the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of
God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to ...
/u/underhanded.htm - 7k

Glorying (27 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 5:12 We are not again commending ourselves unto you, but 'speak' as
giving you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have wherewith to ...
/g/glorying.htm - 14k

Wherewith (182 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 5:12 We are not again commending ourselves unto you, but 'speak' as
giving you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have wherewith to ...
/w/wherewith.htm - 38k

Falsifying (2 Occurrences)
... we have rejected the hidden things of shame, not walking in deceit, nor falsifying
the word of God, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to ...
/f/falsifying.htm - 7k

Furnishing (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 5:12 We are not again commending ourselves to your favour, but are
furnishing you with a ground of boasting on our behalf, so that you may have a ...
/f/furnishing.htm - 7k

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