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.
(from Lat. com- and mando, ‘commit to’)
‘Commend’ is used In Authorized Version and Revised Version as a translation of (a) ðáñáôßèçìé, 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) ðáñßóôçìé 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 God’s presence’ (Weymouth).
(c) ‘Commend’ is used to translate óõíßóôçìé (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 Phœbe our sister’). óõíßóôçìé is the technical word for this kind of recommendation, which was equivalent to a certificate of church membership’ (Denney, Expositor’s Greek Testament , ‘Romans,’ 1900, p. 717). Greek teachers used to give ἐðéóôïëáὶ óõóôáôéêáß (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 one’s faith and work; e.g. zeal for purity is such a commendation (2Co_7:11). An apostle’s true credentials are unwearied labour, self-sacrifice, character, and loftiness of spirit (2Co_6:4).
H. Bulcock.