2 Corinthians 10:12-18
12: For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.
13: But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.
14: For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ;
15: not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you,
16: so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another.
17: But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD.
18: For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.
There were those who falsely accused Paul of commending himself, while not concerned with the false teachers who measured themselves by each other rather than by a true standard. Paul was not one who commended himself like they did, but he would address those whom God had called him to. God had established him as an authority over them, and he was not ashamed of that, nor would he back away from that responsibility.
God had given Paul a sphere of influence—a region to which He called him with an apostolic authority. Paul would not "boast beyond our measure" or go beyond the region God had called him to. As he previously stated, his intent was not to build upon another man’s foundation (Romans 15:20). But the church at Corinth was established by Paul & Co. and anyone who attempted to exalt themselves in the church to the exclusion of God’s established authority would have to be addressed.
13: But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.
14: For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ;
15: not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you,
16: so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another.
17: But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD.
18: For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.
***
There were those who falsely accused Paul of commending himself, while not concerned with the false teachers who measured themselves by each other rather than by a true standard. Paul was not one who commended himself like they did, but he would address those whom God had called him to. God had established him as an authority over them, and he was not ashamed of that, nor would he back away from that responsibility.
God had given Paul a sphere of influence—a region to which He called him with an apostolic authority. Paul would not "boast beyond our measure" or go beyond the region God had called him to. As he previously stated, his intent was not to build upon another man’s foundation (Romans 15:20). But the church at Corinth was established by Paul & Co. and anyone who attempted to exalt themselves in the church to the exclusion of God’s established authority would have to be addressed.
It appears that the practice was that no minister should be received by a congregation without the sanction of the apostle who started it—the one to whom God had established as overseer.1 Paul’s desire was to preach beyond Corinth, however not until their faith grew and they were better established. Also, he would not try and take authority away from churches that were established by someone else.
Paul quoted Jeremiah 9:24 where the Lord said not to let a wise man boast of his wisdom or a mighty man of his might, but whoever boasts should boast of this—that he understands and knows the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for He delights in these things (Jeremiah 9:23-24). Speaking the truth regarding the position the Lord has placed you in is not boasting in the flesh. It is taking your proper place and defending the ground the Lord has given you to watch over in His kingdom.
1 A commentary, critical, practical, and explanatory on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown (1882). Retrieved from biblehub.com March 18, 2021.
Paul quoted Jeremiah 9:24 where the Lord said not to let a wise man boast of his wisdom or a mighty man of his might, but whoever boasts should boast of this—that he understands and knows the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for He delights in these things (Jeremiah 9:23-24). Speaking the truth regarding the position the Lord has placed you in is not boasting in the flesh. It is taking your proper place and defending the ground the Lord has given you to watch over in His kingdom.
1 A commentary, critical, practical, and explanatory on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown (1882). Retrieved from biblehub.com March 18, 2021.
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