Commendatory
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The term "commendatory" refers to the act of expressing approval or praise, often in the context of recommending someone or something as worthy of trust or acceptance. In the biblical context, commendation is frequently associated with the approval of individuals, actions, or qualities that align with God's will and righteousness.

Biblical Usage and Examples

1. Commendation of Individuals: The Bible often highlights individuals who are commended for their faith, righteousness, and service to God. For instance, in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul frequently commends fellow believers for their faithfulness and dedication to the work of the Gospel. 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."

2. Commendation of Faith: Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Faith Hall of Fame," commends numerous Old Testament figures for their faith. Hebrews 11:2 states, "This is why the ancients were commended." The chapter goes on to list individuals like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah, who were commended for their unwavering faith in God's promises.

3. Commendation of Actions: Actions that reflect God's character and commands are also commended in Scripture. In 1 Peter 2:19-20 , Peter writes, "For it is commendable if someone endures pain while suffering unjustly because of conscience toward God. But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God." Here, enduring suffering for doing good is highlighted as a commendable act.

4. Commendation of Love and Generosity: Acts of love and generosity are frequently commended in the Bible. In 2 Corinthians 8:1-2 , Paul commends the Macedonian churches for their generosity: "Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia. In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity."

Theological Significance

Commendation in the Bible is not merely about human approval but is deeply connected to divine approval. It reflects God's acknowledgment of faith, righteousness, and obedience. The commendation of believers serves as an encouragement to live lives that are pleasing to God, knowing that He sees and rewards faithfulness. As seen in 2 Corinthians 10:18 , "For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends."

Practical Implications

For believers, the concept of being commendatory serves as a reminder to seek God's approval above all else. It encourages Christians to live in a manner worthy of the Gospel, striving to be commendable in their faith, actions, and love towards others. The commendation of God is the ultimate affirmation of a life lived in accordance with His will, providing both motivation and assurance to the faithful.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (a.) Serving to commend; containing praise or commendation; commending; praising.

2. (a.) Holding a benefice in commendam; as, a commendatory bishop.

3. (n.) A commendation; eulogy.

Greek
4956. sustatikos -- constructive, commendatory
... constructive, commendatory. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: sustatikos
Phonetic Spelling: (soos-tat-ee-kos') Short Definition: commendatory Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4956.htm - 6k
Library

Commendatory of Christian Union.
... SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC WORSHIP. 911. " Commendatory of Christian Union.
911. LM Ancient Hymns. Commendatory of Christian Union. ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/911 commendatory of christian.htm

Examples of Heathens Urged as Commendatory of Widowhood and ...
... Book I. Chapter VI."Examples of Heathens Urged as Commendatory of Widowhood
and Celibacy. But if they who have (wives) are (thus ...
/.../tertullian/to his wife/chapter vi examples of heathens urged.htm

Letter ccxlix. Without Address. Commendatory.
... Letter CCXLIX. Without address. Commendatory. I congratulate this my brother, in
being delivered from our troubles here and in approaching your reverence. ...
/.../basil letters and select works/letter ccxlix without address commendatory.htm

Letter cccxiii. [Commendatory of the Interests of Sulpicius. ]
... TOU AGIOU BAChILEIOU PERI TOU PNEUMATOCh BIBLION. Letter CCCXIII.
[Commendatory of the interests of Sulpicius.]. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cccxiii commendatory of the.htm

Letter cccxii. [Commendatory: Short and Unimportant. ]
... TOU AGIOU BAChILEIOU PERI TOU PNEUMATOCh BIBLION. Letter
CCCXII. [Commendatory: short and unimportant.]. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cccxii commendatory short and.htm

Letter cccxi. [Commendatory: Short and of no Importance. ]
... TOU AGIOU BAChILEIOU PERI TOU PNEUMATOCh BIBLION. Letter CCCXI.
[Commendatory: short and of no importance.]. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cccxi commendatory short and.htm

Strange and Unknown Clergymen Without Letters Commendatory from ...
... Canon XIII. Strange and unknown clergymen without letters commendatory from
their own Bishop? Strange and unknown clergymen without ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xiii strange and unknown.htm

We have Decreed that the Poor and those Needing Assistance Shall ...
... and those needing assistance shall travel, after examination, with letters merely
pacifical from the church, and not with letters commendatory, inasmuch as ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xi we have decreed.htm

That Bishops Shall not Go Across Seas.
... beyond seas without consulting the bishop of the primatial see of his own province:
so that from him they may be able to receive a formed or commendatory letter ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xxiii greek xxvi that.htm

Let not Country Presbyters Give Letters Canonical, or Let them ...
... similar among the pagans of his empire. "Commendatory letters" (epistolai
sustatikai) are spoken of by St. Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:1 ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon viii let not country.htm

Thesaurus
Commendatory (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Holding a benefice in commendam; as, a commendatory bishop. 3. (n.) A
commendation; eulogy. Multi-Version Concordance Commendatory (1 Occurrence). ...
/c/commendatory.htm - 7k

Commended (12 Occurrences)

/c/commended.htm - 10k

Tone (9 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) State of mind; temper; mood. 11. (n.) Tenor; character; spirit;
drift; as, the tone of his remarks was commendatory. 12. ...
/t/tone.htm - 11k

Envoy (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) An explanatory or commendatory postscript to a poem, essay, or book; --
also in the French from, l'envoi. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/e/envoy.htm - 8k

Commendation (2 Occurrences)

/c/commendation.htm - 7k

Consist (7 Occurrences)
... metropolis. She doubtless asked Paul for a commendatory letter, and this
may have suggested an extended message to the church. (2 ...
/c/consist.htm - 80k

Romans (8 Occurrences)
... metropolis. She doubtless asked Paul for a commendatory letter, and this
may have suggested an extended message to the church. (2 ...
/r/romans.htm - 44k

Resources
Commendatory: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Commendatory (1 Occurrence)

2 Corinthians 3:1
Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or do we need, as some, commendatory letters to you, or commendatory from you?
(DBY)

Subtopics

Commendatory

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Actually (35 Occurrences)

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Commendation to God's Grace
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