THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES - Chapter 20 - Verse 32

Verse 32. And now, brethren. About to leave them, probably to see them no more, he committed them to the faithful care and keeping of God. Amidst all the dangers of the church, when human strength fails or is withdrawn, we may commit that church to the safe keeping and tender care of God.

I commend you. I commit you; I place you paratiyemai in his hands, and under his protection. See Barnes "Ac 14:23".

And to the word of his grace. That is, to his gracious word; to his merciful promise. To his doctrine of salvation by Jesus Christ, which has been conferred on us by grace. Paul refers, doubtless, to the gospel —including its promises of support, its consoling truths, and its directions to seek all needful help and comfort in God.

Which is able. Which has power. tw dunamenw. Which word, or gospel, has power to build you up. Heb 4:12: "For the word of God is quick, [living, life-giving, zwn,] and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword," etc. Comp. Isa 49:2; Jer 23:29. "Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?" It is implied here, that the gospel is not a dead letter; that it has power to accomplish a great work; and that it is adapted to the end in view, the conversion and sanctification of the soul. There is no danger in representing the gospel as mighty, and as fitted by infinite wisdom to secure the renovation and salvation of man. Comp. Ro 1:16; 1 Co 1:18; 2 Co 10:4.

To build you up. The word used here is properly applied to a house, which is reared and completed by slow degrees, and by toil. It here means to establish, make firm, or permanent; and hence to instruct, to establish in doctrine, and in hope. It here means that the word of God was able to confirm and establish them in the hopes of the gospel, amidst the dangers to which they would be exposed.

And to give you an inheritance. To make you heirs; or to make you joint partakers with the saints of the blessings in reserve for the children of God. Those blessings are often represented as an inheritance, or heirship, which God will confer on his adopted children, Mt 19:29; Mt 25:34; Mr 10:17; Heb 6:12; Re 21:7; Eph 1:11; 5:5; Col 1:12; 3:24

Ro 8:17; Ga 3:29.

Among all them which are sanctified. With all who are holy; with all the saints. See Barnes "Joh 10:36".

Those who shall be saved are made holy. They who receive a part in the inheritance beyond the grave, shall have it only among the sanctified and the pure. They must, therefore, be pure themselves, or they can have no part in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

{a} "which is able" Joh 17:17 {b} "inheritance among" Ac 26:18; Col 1:12; Heb 9:15; 1 Pe 1:4