The act of speaking favourably of someone. Scripture commends those who are faithful and obedient to God.
Commendation as speaking favourably of others
Proverbs 15:2 See also Psalm 145:4; Ecclesiastes 8:15
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
Examples of those commended by God
Matthew 26:10; Luke 7:9 See also Matthew 15:28 a Canaanite woman; Matthew 16:17–18 Simon Peter; Luke 21:3 a poor widow; Hebrews 11:4 Abel; Hebrews 11:5 Enoch
Aware of this, Jesus asked, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful deed to Me.
When Jesus heard this, He marveled at the centurion. Turning to the crowd following Him, He said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.”
Commendation for obedience and faith
Psalm 40:4; Hebrews 11:1–2 See also Psalm 119:1; Proverbs 16:20; Isaiah 56:2; Jeremiah 17:7; Matthew 25:34; Romans 14:18; 2 Corinthians 8:18; Hebrews 11:39
Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, who has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.
Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see. This is why the ancients were commended.
Commendation for perseverance
Isaiah 30:18 See also James 1:12, James 5:11; 1 Peter 2:19–20
Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He rises to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. Blessed are all who wait for Him.
Examples of human commendation of others
2 Samuel 14:25; 2 Corinthians 10:18 See also Genesis 12:15, Genesis 49:8; Nehemiah 11:2; Esther 2:17; Job 29:11; Proverbs 12:8, Proverbs 27:2, Proverbs 27:21, Proverbs 28:4, Proverbs 31:28, Proverbs 31:30–31; Ecclesiastes 8:10; Song of Solomon 6:9; Daniel 10:11; Luke 16:8; John 5:41, John 5:44, John 12:43; Acts 18:27; Romans 2:28, Romans 13:3, Romans 16:1; 1 Corinthians 11:2, 1 Corinthians 11:17, 1 Corinthians 11:22; 2 Corinthians 3:1, 2 Corinthians 12:11; 1 Thessalonians 2:6; 1 Peter 2:14
Now there was not a man in all Israel as handsome and highly praised as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, he did not have a single flaw.
For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
Self-commendation is to be avoided
2 Corinthians 5:12 See also 2 Corinthians 6:4–10
We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.