Paul entrusts his beloved Ephesian friends into God’s loving hands, fully confident that His Word will strengthen, unify, and bring them safely home.
In this verse, the Apostle Paul concludes his farewell address to the Ephesian elders in Miletus by stating, “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” (v.32) Paul, who lived from around AD 5 to AD 64 (some traditions say AD 67), is wrapping up his third missionary journey (approximately AD 53-57), having paused in the coastal city of Miletus. Miletus, located in what is now southwestern Turkey, was a significant port in the ancient region of Asia Minor, making it a strategic place for Paul to meet with leaders from nearby Ephesus without returning to the city itself. In his farewell, Paul entrusts these leaders to the protection and guidance of God, highlighting the power of the “word of His grace” to keep them focused on God’s eternal purposes.
When Paul refers to “the word of His grace” (v.32), he reminds believers that the Scriptures and the gospel are more than mere information—they are a direct channel of God’s transformative power. This power, according to Paul, not only “builds up” the believer but also grants them a share in the promised inheritance. In biblical language, “being built up” signifies spiritual maturation and unity in the community of faith—a theme resonating throughout the New Testament. Paul’s assurance that this inheritance is “among all those who are sanctified” (v.32) speaks of the certainty that those who trust in Christ are set apart for God’s saving purposes. The inheritance includes sharing in eternal life with God’s people, an idea also emphasized later in passages that elaborate on the hope believers have in Christ.
Paul’s commendation links seamlessly to the New Testament emphasis on Jesus as the source of life and truth (John 14:6). Just as Jesus imparts grace for salvation, the “word of His grace” carries the ongoing sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, forming Christlike character within believers (Philippians 1:6). This encouragement to rely wholeheartedly on God’s Word endures as an anchor of hope, showing how the Scriptures consistently point to Jesus and His redemptive mission.
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Acts 20:32 meaning
In this verse, the Apostle Paul concludes his farewell address to the Ephesian elders in Miletus by stating, “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” (v.32) Paul, who lived from around AD 5 to AD 64 (some traditions say AD 67), is wrapping up his third missionary journey (approximately AD 53-57), having paused in the coastal city of Miletus. Miletus, located in what is now southwestern Turkey, was a significant port in the ancient region of Asia Minor, making it a strategic place for Paul to meet with leaders from nearby Ephesus without returning to the city itself. In his farewell, Paul entrusts these leaders to the protection and guidance of God, highlighting the power of the “word of His grace” to keep them focused on God’s eternal purposes.
When Paul refers to “the word of His grace” (v.32), he reminds believers that the Scriptures and the gospel are more than mere information—they are a direct channel of God’s transformative power. This power, according to Paul, not only “builds up” the believer but also grants them a share in the promised inheritance. In biblical language, “being built up” signifies spiritual maturation and unity in the community of faith—a theme resonating throughout the New Testament. Paul’s assurance that this inheritance is “among all those who are sanctified” (v.32) speaks of the certainty that those who trust in Christ are set apart for God’s saving purposes. The inheritance includes sharing in eternal life with God’s people, an idea also emphasized later in passages that elaborate on the hope believers have in Christ.
Paul’s commendation links seamlessly to the New Testament emphasis on Jesus as the source of life and truth (John 14:6). Just as Jesus imparts grace for salvation, the “word of His grace” carries the ongoing sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, forming Christlike character within believers (Philippians 1:6). This encouragement to rely wholeheartedly on God’s Word endures as an anchor of hope, showing how the Scriptures consistently point to Jesus and His redemptive mission.