The term "commends" in the Bible often refers to the act of presenting or recommending someone or something as worthy of attention, approval, or praise. This concept is significant in understanding how individuals and their actions are perceived and valued within the biblical narrative.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Divine Commendation: One of the most profound instances of commendation in the Bible is when God commends individuals for their faith and righteousness. In Romans 5:8, the Apostle Paul writes, "But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Here, the term "proves" is synonymous with "commends," indicating God's demonstration of love through the sacrificial act of Christ's death. This divine commendation underscores the value God places on humanity despite its fallen state.

2. Human Commendation: The Bible also speaks of individuals commending one another. In 2 Corinthians 10:18, Paul states, "For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends." This highlights the distinction between self-promotion and divine approval, emphasizing that true commendation comes from God rather than human efforts.

3. Commendation of Faith: Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Faith Hall of Fame," provides numerous examples of individuals commended for their faith. Hebrews 11:2 notes, "This is why the ancients were commended." The chapter goes on to list figures like Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham, whose faith was recognized and praised by God. Their lives serve as exemplars of trust and obedience to God's promises.

4. Commendation in Service: In the early church, commendation was also a practice among believers. Acts 14:23 describes how Paul and Barnabas "appointed elders for them in each church, and with prayer and fasting, they committed them to the Lord, in whom they had believed." This act of commending leaders to the Lord was a way of entrusting them to God's care and guidance, recognizing their role in the spiritual community.

5. Commendation of Love and Good Works: The New Testament frequently encourages believers to commend one another for acts of love and service. In Romans 16:1-2, Paul 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." This passage illustrates the practice of acknowledging and supporting those who contribute to the ministry and well-being of the church.

Theological Implications

The concept of commendation in the Bible carries significant theological weight. It reflects the values and priorities of the Christian faith, where divine approval is sought above human recognition. Commendation is closely tied to faith, love, and service, and it serves as a reminder of the ultimate judgment and approval that comes from God alone. The biblical narrative encourages believers to live lives worthy of commendation, not for self-glorification, but to honor God and edify the community of faith.4921. sunistemi and sunistano -- to commend, establish, stand near ...
... sun and histemi Definition to commend, establish, stand near, consist NASB Word
Usage commend (3), commended (1), commending (3), commends (2), demonstrated (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4921.htm - 8k

The Method which Origen Used in his Theological and Metaphysical ...
... Instructions. He Commends the Study of All Writers, the Atheistic Alone
Excepted. The Marvellous Power of Persuasion in Speech. ...
/.../argument xiii the method which origen.htm

Dionysius, Bishop of Corinth, and the Epistles which He Wrote.
... 5. Writing also to the church that is in Gortyna, [1252] together with the other
parishes in Crete, he commends their bishop Philip, [1253] because of the many ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxiii dionysius bishop of corinth.htm

God's Love Commended to Us.
... Thus he commends it to our regard. ... He commends it to us to be reciprocated,
as if He would incite us to love Him who has so loved us. ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xviii gods love commended to.htm

If this Queen Ye See Not, Now Rich Also with Royal Progeny. If She ...
... unto thee sons, thou shall set them as princes over the whole earth:" unto whose
prayers their mother both preferred and made subject, commends herself, "They ...
/.../augustine/concerning faith of things not seen /6 if this queen ye.htm

1 John iv. 16-Dec
... some of you all along, while we have been expounding to you this epistle of blessed
John, why it is only "brotherly" love that he so emphatically commends. ...
/.../ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/homily viii 1 john iv.htm

Their Dangerous Errors.
... [1004] For what does any one profit me, if he commends me, but blasphemes my
Lord, not confessing that He was [truly] possessed of a body? ...
/.../the epistle of ignatius to the smyrnaeans/chapter v their dangerous errors.htm

Have Respect to the Bishop as to Christ Himself.
... And indeed Onesimus himself greatly commends your good order in God, that ye all
live according to the truth, and that no sect [529] has any dwelling-place ...
/.../the epistle of ignatius to the ephesians/chapter vi have respect to the.htm

Evidences Internal and Experimental.
... To them the Bible commends itself as the word of God by its internal character,
and the gospel as God's plan of salvation by their inward experience of its ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xii evidences internal and.htm

2 Cor. viii. 16
... And that this might be the case then also, hear how he commends those that
had come for this purpose, the first of whom was Titus. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xviii 2 cor viii.htm

Of the Praise of Solitary Life and of the First Lovers Thereof ...
... First, therefore, he commends the freeness of grace, when he says: who let the wild
ass loose?' Second, the putting away of fleshly desires; when he says: and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter xiv of the praise.htm

Commends (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Commends (4 Occurrences). Romans 3:5 But if our
unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what will we say? ...
/c/commends.htm - 7k

Commend (22 Occurrences)
... (KJV WEY ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV). Romans 3:5 But if our unrighteousness commends the
righteousness of God, what will we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? ...
/c/commend.htm - 15k

Demonstrates (3 Occurrences)
... Demonstrates (3 Occurrences). Romans 3:5 But if our unrighteousness commends the
righteousness of God, what will we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? ...
/d/demonstrates.htm - 7k

Accepted (82 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV). 2 Corinthians 10:18 For it isn't he who commends
himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends. (See RSV). ...
/a/accepted.htm - 31k

Approved (18 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). 2 Corinthians 10:18 For it isn't he who commends himself who is approved,
but whom the Lord commends. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/a/approved.htm - 12k

Really (100 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 2 Corinthians 10:18 For it is not the man that commends himself who
is really approved, but he whom the Lord commends. (WEY). ...
/r/really.htm - 35k

Isn't (154 Occurrences)
... spiritual. (WEB). 2 Corinthians 10:18 For it isn't he who commends himself
who is approved, but whom the Lord commends. (WEB). Galatians ...
/i/isn't.htm - 36k

Unjust (44 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS RSV). Romans 3:5 But if our unrighteousness commends the
righteousness of God, what will we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? ...
/u/unjust.htm - 18k

Unrighteousness (57 Occurrences)
... Romans 3:5 But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what will
we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? I speak like men do. ...
/u/unrighteousness.htm - 22k

Using (88 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Romans 3:5 But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God,
what will we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? I speak like men do. ...
/u/using.htm - 31k

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