Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 20:32

"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 them that are sanctified." — Acts 20:32 (ASV)

Paul concluded his address with a blessing, committing them “to God and to the word of his grace.” Though Paul had to leave them, God was with them and so was his word—the word of grace that was able to build them up, give them an inheritance, and sanctify them. Again, the expressions used in Luke’s summary of Paul’s blessing comprise a catena of Pauline terms: “grace” (GK 5921, which appears in almost all his salutations and benedictions); “build up” (GK 3868; cf. 1 Corinthians 8:1; 10:23; 14:4, 17; 1 Thessalonians 5:11); “inheritance” (GK 3100; cf. Romans 8:17; Galatians 3:18; Ephesians 1:14; Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:24); and “sanctified” (GK 39; cf. Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 Corinthians 7:14; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Thessalonians 5:23).