In the context of the Bible, the concept of "recommend" is closely associated with the ideas of commendation, approval, and endorsement. While the specific term "recommend" is not frequently used in most English translations of the Bible, the underlying principles are evident throughout Scripture. The act of recommending involves endorsing or presenting someone or something as worthy of acceptance or trust.

Biblical Instances and Principles

1. Commendation of Individuals: The Apostle Paul often commended individuals to the early Christian communities. For example, 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 whatever matter she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me." Here, Paul recommends Phoebe, highlighting her service and urging the Roman church to receive her with respect and support.

2. Commendation of Character: The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of a commendable character. 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 underscores the principle that true commendation comes from God, who sees and judges the heart, rather than from self-promotion or human approval.

3. Endorsement of Teachings: The early church leaders were careful to recommend sound doctrine and teachings. In Acts 15:25-27, the apostles and elders in Jerusalem sent Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch, recommending them as trustworthy men who would confirm the decisions made by the council regarding Gentile believers.

4. Commendation through Good Works: Believers are encouraged to live lives that are commendable through their actions. In Titus 3:8, Paul writes, "This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have believed God will be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for the people." Here, the recommendation is for believers to engage in good works, which serve as a testament to their faith and are beneficial to the community.

5. Divine Commendation: Ultimately, the highest form of recommendation comes from God. In Matthew 25:21, Jesus shares the parable of the talents, where the master commends his faithful servant, saying, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things; I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your master." This divine commendation is the ultimate goal for believers, reflecting a life lived in faithful service to God.

Theological Implications

The concept of recommendation in the Bible is deeply tied to the themes of trust, integrity, and divine approval. It reflects the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God and worthy of commendation by others. The biblical narrative encourages believers to seek God's approval above all, recognizing that human commendation is secondary to divine endorsement. Through the examples of commendation found in Scripture, believers are guided to live lives marked by faithfulness, service, and adherence to sound doctrine.1. (v. t.) To commend to the favorable notice of another; to commit to another's care, confidence, or acceptance, with favoring representations; to put in a favorable light before any one; to bestow commendation on; as, he recommended resting the mind and exercising the body.

2. (v. t.) To make acceptable; to attract favor to.

3. (v. t.) To commit; to give in charge; to commend.

3867. paraineo -- to exhort, advise
... advise, exhort. 3867 (from 3844 , " close-beside" and 134 , "to praise") --
properly, to , ie "recommend, advise, urge" (). This is ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3867.htm - 7k

3860. paradidomi -- to hand over, to give or deliver over, to ...
... and didomi; to surrender, ie yield up, intrust, transmit -- betray, bring forth,
cast, commit, deliver (up), give (over, up), hazard, put in prison, recommend. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3860.htm - 11k

3936. paristemi -- to place beside, to present, stand by, appear
... paristano (par-is-tan'-o) from para and histemi; to stand beside, ie (transitively)
to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend, (figuratively) substantiate ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3936.htm - 9k

4823. sumbouleuo -- to take counsel together, advise
... From sun and bouleuo; to give (or take) advice jointly, ie Recommend, deliberate
or determine -- consult, (give, take) counsel (together). see GREEK sun. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4823.htm - 7k

Letter cclxxi. To Eusebius, My Comrade, to Recommend Cyriacus the ...
... Letter CCLXXI. To Eusebius, my comrade, to recommend Cyriacus the presbyter.
At once and in haste, after your departure, I came to the town. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cclxxi to eusebius my.htm

He Next Proceeds to Recommend, that in Adopting Opinions we Should ...
... Chapter IX. He next proceeds to recommend, that in adopting opinions we
should follow reason and a? He next proceeds to recommend ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter ix he next proceeds.htm

What Peculiarly Tends to Illustrate and Recommend to us the ...
... Divine Election and Reprobation Article 15 What peculiarly tends to illustrate
and recommend to us the eternal and unmerited grace of? ...
/.../various/the canons of dordt/article 15 what peculiarly tends.htm

An Explanation that we May not Appear to Recommend Separation from ...
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter X. An explanation that we may
not appear to recommend separation from wives. But let no ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter x an explanation that.htm

Preface.
... After his first hasty perusal of them, he ventured strongly to recommend their
publication, both for the sake of making the British churches better acquainted ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/preface.htm

Approbations
... Thomas F. Brennan, DD, Bishop of Dallas: "I like the book very much and will not
only recommend it to the priests and good sisters of my diocese, but will also ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/approbations.htm

The General Conference of 1828
... we are fully persuaded that, under God, our itinerant system has been the most
effectual means of carrying on this great and blessed work, we recommend it to ...
/.../chapter 9 the general conference.htm

The Life of Mr. Robert Cunningham.
... is dearer to me than my life." A little before his departure, his wife sitting by
his bed-side with his hand in hers, he did by prayer recommend the whole ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr robert 4.htm

Sources and Literature on St. Paul and his Work.
... arose from the correspondence of the moral maxims of Seneca with those of Paul,
which is more apparent than real, and from the desire to recommend the Stoic ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 29 sources and literature.htm

Selection
... Demy 8vo. 0 10 6. "It would be quite superfluous at this hour of the day
to recommend Mr. Allies' writings to English Catholics. ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/selection.htm

Recommend (2 Occurrences)
... commend. Multi-Version Concordance Recommend (2 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians
3:1 Do you say that this is self-recommendation once more? ...
/r/recommend.htm - 7k

Commend (22 Occurrences)
... preservation. 2. (vt) To recommend as worthy of confidence or regard; to
present as worthy of notice or favorable attention. 3. (vt ...
/c/commend.htm - 15k

Such (2370 Occurrences)
... or as introducing the word or proposition which defines the similarity, or the standard
Of comparison; as, the books are not such that I can recommend them, or ...
/s/such.htm - 7k

Epistles (2 Occurrences)
... Regarding this correspondence Lightfoot says: "This correspondence was probably
forged in the 4th century, either to recommend Seneca to Christian readers, or ...
/e/epistles.htm - 80k

Canon
... and from Ignatius. You recommend me to send on yours to Syria; I shall
do so either personally or by some other means. In return ...
/c/canon.htm - 68k

Gourd (4 Occurrences)
... The traditional plant, Cucumis prophetarium, which grows in the desert, and
has very small "gourds," has nothing really to recommend it. ...
/g/gourd.htm - 12k

Glorifying (21 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 5:12 for not again ourselves do we recommend to you, but we are giving
occasion to you of glorifying in our behalf, that ye may have 'something ...
/g/glorifying.htm - 12k

Wild (147 Occurrences)
... The traditional plant, Cucumis prophetarium, which grows in the desert, and
has very small "gourds," has nothing really to recommend it. ...
/w/wild.htm - 50k

Wish (141 Occurrences)
... invoke; to imprecate. 4. (vt) To recommend; to seek confidence or favor
in behalf of. 5. (n.) Desire; eager desire; longing. 6. (n ...
/w/wish.htm - 36k

Recommendation (2 Occurrences)

/r/recommendation.htm - 7k

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