[Paul is speaking to the Ephesian elders] “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 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. 33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
This is the season of commendations. Valedictorian. Cum Laude. Summa Cum Laude. With Honors. With Distinction. President’s Award. Dean’s Certificate. Degrees. PhD’s. B.A.s. Masters…the list goes on and on. My hat’s off to those who work hard and receive these honors. They are certainly well deserved. The keys being worked hard and well deserved.
Compare that with Paul’s word here to the Ephesian elders. He commends them to God’s grace. “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,” he says.
Being commended to God is a good thing. Sure beats being commended to death or the devil. But maybe we take that too much for granted. For it is a blessing to be sure. But not everyone wants it. Many want anything but to be commended to God. They have no idea that without God they are lost and condemned, and commended to death and the devil.
Such is not Paul’s desire. He has in mind great blessings of God’s favor. Nor is it God’s desire to be commended to death and the devil. He sent his Son to save us from that fate, and then he sent his Holy Spirit to call us to faith and give us his gifts of grace.
It is significant and important that Paul commends the Ephesian elders to God and to the word of his grace. This gift is not earned. It is a gift freely given. It builds us up and grants us an eternally rich and glorious inheritance.
Paul’s words are appropriate for me today for any number of reasons. I am deeply thankful for his grace,. I need it constantly. And God’s supply is rich and deep. As Paul says in Romans 5: “Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more.” That builds me up and keeps me going. As I un-retire again, serving Hope Lutheran Church in Friendswood, Texas, I need that up-building and strength, and the presence of God. I’ll take what Paul says to the Ephesian elders as my own and rejoice in the goodness and grace of God.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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