Eulogize (εὐλογητός/εὐλογέω)
The concept of “blessing” in Scripture has two meanings. It refers either to “being happy” or “speaking well of”. To “speak well of” someone is to eulogize them—specifically, by highlighting the good things they have done.
Within Scripture, the term eulogy is often used concerning God and His Christ. When we “bless” God, we are speaking well of Him due to His character and what He has done. He has visited and redeemed His people (Luke 1:68), is the Father of mercies and comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3), and has caused us to be born again according to His mercy through the resurrection of Jesus Christ out from the dead (1 Peter 1:3). Christ was first sent to the Jews to eulogize them by turning each one of them away from their malignant evil (Acts 3:26).
In a world that loves darkness (John 3:19), we walk as luminaries by demonstrating the life of God in action (Philippians 2:15). In contrast to those who blaspheme and revile us, we are to speak well of them (1 Peter 3:9), seasoning our words with a bit of grace (Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 4:6), Remember, it is the kindness of God that leads to a change of mind, not wrath (Romans 2:4). This does not ignore someone’s wrong or overlooking the necessity of consequences for their actions. It is to not retaliate in kind. They persecute, blaspheme, and revile us for living and speaking the truth. In contrast, we do not speak things about them that are not true nor curse them (Romans 12:14). They will be put to shame in the day of visitation—when others examine us and see our works are good—by our works, not words (1 Peter 2:12). And as we mature in Christ, let us learn to control our tongue so that we do not use them to curse men while eulogizing God (James 3:9).
In Communion, the cup that we eulogize and the bread that we break in remembrance of our Lord, (1 Corinthians 10:16) are significant because the cup represents the new covenant (1 Corinthians 11:25; Hebrews 8:6), and the bread the body of The Christ (1 Corinthians 11:24). One who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner—not discerning the body of the Christ—drinks judgment upon himself. This is not a matter to take lightly, or we would not speak well of it (1 Corinthians 11:29-32).
When it comes to the Christian, God speaks well of us in the heavens concerning spiritual things (Ephesians 1:3). God has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Satan accuses us (Revelation 12:10), God eulogizes us, for we are righteous in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:30). And as ones of faith, we are well spoken of just as Abraham (Galatians 3:9).
Since God speaks well of us concerning Spiritual matters, let us live a life that reflects His opinion of us, aligning with what He says, for He always speaks the truth.