Commendation
(from Lat. com- and mando, commit to)
Commend is used In Authorized Version and Revised Version as a translation of (a) , in the sense of entrusting (cf. Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit, Luk 23:46) in Act 14:23; Act 20:32, in reference to the solemn committing of the heads of the churches to God. The same verb is translated commit (to God) in 1Pe 4:19 (Let them that suffer commit their souls to a faithful creator); cf. Luk 12:48, 1Ti 1:18; 1Ti 6:20, 2Ti 1:12; 2Ti 1:14; 2Ti 2:2.
(b) is translated commend in 1Co 8:8 (Meat commendeth us not to God) in the sense of presenting to God; non exhibebit nos Deo (Meyer); will not bring us into Gods presence (Weymouth).
(c) Commend is used to translate (1) in Rom 3:5, in the sense of demonstration, setting in clearer light (but if our unrighteousness commendeth the righteousness of God, what shall we say?); (2) in Rom 5:8, in the sense of making proof of (God commendeth his own love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us); (3) in the sense of introduction in Rom 16:1 (I commend unto you Phbe our sister). is the technical word for this kind of recommendation, which was equivalent to a certificate of church membership (Denney, Expositors Greek Testament , Romans, 1900, p. 717). Greek teachers used to give (Diog. Laert. viii. 87). The Ephesian Christians wrote such a letter for Apollos to the Church at Corinth (Act 18:27). St. Paul in 2Co 8:16-24 gives an introduction for Titus and his companions to the Corinthian Church. In 2Co 3:1 St. Paul finely points out that no such introduction is necessary in his own case, either for or from his readers. They themselves are a letter of commendation in a double sense-they are ever written in his heart; no need for others to commend them to his interest and care; again, as his converts, they are his letter of credential to themselves and to all the world. (4) The verb, reflexively used to convey the idea of self-praise, occurs in 2Co 3:1; 2Co 5:12; 2Co 10:12; 2Co 10:18 (where the pronoun coming before the verb occupies the prominent position); (5) but in 2Co 4:2; 2Co 6:4; 2Co 7:11 (where the pronoun follows the verb) the reference is to legitimate demonstration of ones faith and work; e.g. zeal for purity is such a commendation (2Co 7:11). An apostles true credentials are unwearied labour, self-sacrifice, character, and loftiness of spirit (2Co 6:4).
H. Bulcock.
Fuente: Dictionary of the Apostolic Church
Commendation
is (1) the act of commending; a favorable representation in words; (2) the act of commending the dying to the mercy and favor of God.