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 GROUND OF THEIR HOPE. 1. He commends them to God. (1) To His providential agency. (2) To His attributes as engaged for their welfare — to the wisdom of God, for direction; to the power of God, for defence; to the goodness and mercy of God, for comfort; to the all-sufficiency of God, for all exigencies; to the truth of God as the ground of confidence. 2. He commends them to the word of His grace, so called because — (1) It originates in His grace. (2) It records His grace. (3) It is the instrument of His grace. II. THE EXTENT OF THEIR PRIVILEGES. "Which is able to build you up." The word of God's grace is given to instruct the ignorant — reclaim the wanderer — comfort the mourner — arouse the careless — confirm the wavering — and edify the Christian. The words here: — 1. Imply the commencement of a work. When we speak of building up, it naturally supposes a foundation is laid and a work begun. This is the case with every true Christian. In the work of conviction, the rubbish is taken away, all views of obtaining salvation by human merit are renounced. Christ is cordially embraced as all our salvation. 2. Insure its continuance. Christians are built up in — (1) Knowledge. (2) Faith (Jude 1:20). (3) Love. (4) Holiness. III. THE SUBLIMITY OF THEIR DESTINIES. Notice here: — 1. The state of happiness expressed. "An inheritance." (1) It is a rich inheritance. (2) It is a purchased inheritance — bought by the precious blood of Christ. (3) It is reserved. Ready prepared for every believer. (4) It is eternal. 2. The individuals who shall possess it. "Them which are sanctified." 3. The mode of its conveyance. "To give you." It is the free gift of God's grace. (Ebenezer Temple.) 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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