Acts 20:32
What does Acts 20:32 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 20:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 20:32 means
Paul entrusts the elders to God and to the word of His grace, which can build them up and give them an inheritance among the sanctified. He cannot remain, but God’s presence and gospel promise will. The “word of grace” strengthens, matures, and secures believers for their promised inheritance—language that points to the full salvation God gives His holy people. Leaders are ultimately sustained not by charisma or techniques but by God’s power through His gracious Word. This commendation centers their hope on divine resources that outlast apostles and outmatch every threat to the church’s life.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And now, I give you into the care of God and the word of his grace, which is able to make you strong and to give you your heritage among all the saints.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and now, I commend you, brethren, to God, and to the word of His grace, that is able to build up, and to give you an inheritance among all those sanctified.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, who is able to build up and to give an inheritance among all the sanctified.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And now I commit you toGod, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build [you] up and give [to you] an inheritance among all the sanctified.
Context
Having charged the elders to vigilant shepherding, Paul now directs them to the only sufficient source of strength: God and His gracious Word. The following verses (33–35) demonstrate Paul’s integrity and generosity, reinforcing the credibility of his exhortations. The flow moves from warning and dependence to example and application, culminating in prayer and a tearful farewell (verses 36–38). The commendation grounds everything that follows in grace, not merely human resolve.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 9:31
So the church throughout all Judæa and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied.
- Acts 20:24
But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
- Jeremiah 49:11
Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.
- Acts 14:23
And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.
- Ephesians 2:20
being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone;
- Jeremiah 3:19
But I said, How I will put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of the nations! and I said, Ye shall call me My Father, and shall not turn away from following me.
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