We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you. We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory. But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
- 2 Corinthians 10:12-18
Just before this, Paul addressed the idea of being superficial and judgmental along with his authority in Christ. Here, he builds on that by addressing the idea of being boastful – when it is acceptable to boast and when it is not.
Paul begins here in verse 12 by highlighting the folly of self-comparison and self-commendation. The Corinthians were likely being influenced by false teachers who were boasting about their qualifications and achievements. These teachers measured their own worth based on their own standards, which Paul points out is both unwise and arrogant.
We see a similar trend in today’s culture. Social media, personal achievements, and public perception can become the metrics by which we measure our self-worth. Paul, however, warns that comparing ourselves to others, especially by worldly standards, leads to pride and misunderstanding of what truly matters. Instead of falling into this trap, Paul urges us to look to God's standards and remember that our value is rooted in Christ alone, not in how we stack up against others.
In verse 13, Paul underscores the importance of staying within the boundaries set by God. He contrasts his own ministry with those who boast without regard for God’s calling. Paul knows that his authority and the scope of his ministry come from God, and he limits his boasting to that. For us, this is a reminder to focus on the areas of service God has called us to. We should not stretch ourselves beyond what He has assigned, nor should we seek validation outside of God's purpose for our lives. Whether in ministry, business, or personal achievements, it's important to recognize the boundaries of our calling and to give glory to God for the work He enables us to do.
Paul clarifies in verse 14 that he is not overstepping his bounds when speaking about the Corinthian church. He and his team were the first to bring the gospel to them, so Paul’s boasting is not rooted in arrogance but in the legitimate work God has done through him. He has every right to speak of his ministry because it directly impacted the Corinthians. It’s not wrong to acknowledge the work God has done through us, but we must give credit to God and remember that it is His power at work, not our own. We humbly recognize that it is God who leads us to success, not our own efforts.
Paul continues to emphasize the theme of not overstepping boundaries in verse 15. He does not claim credit for the work of others, unlike the false teachers who may have been trying to take credit for Paul’s labor. He expresses his desire for the Corinthians to grow in their faith so that his ministry among them could continue to flourish and expand. This is a call to humility and integrity. It is easy to be tempted to take credit for things we didn’t accomplish or to boast about others' work as if it were our own, but Paul models a better way: be content with what God has given you and focus on growth.
In verse 16, Paul shows that he is forward-thinking in his ministry. His ultimate goal is to take the gospel beyond Corinth to new places where Christ has not yet been preached. His desire is to reach new territories, not to take credit for work already done by others. Paul’s ambition was not selfish; it was rooted in spreading the gospel and fulfilling God’s mission. We, too, should have Godly ambitions, looking for ways to expand God’s kingdom rather than seeking personal recognition.
Verse 17 contains one of the most profound statements in this passage: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” Paul echoes the words of Jeremiah 9:24, reminding the Corinthians that any boasting should be in the Lord alone. If there is anything to boast about, it is what God has done, not what we have accomplished in our strength. In a world where self-promotion is celebrated, this verse turns that notion around. We are to boast only in the Lord, recognizing that all we have, all we accomplish, and all we are comes from Him. Whether in ministry, career, or personal life, all credit and glory belong to God. True success is found in being aligned with His will and purposes.
Paul closes this section in verse 18 by reiterating that self-commendation is meaningless. It is not the approval of others or even our own commendation that matters; it is God's commendation that truly counts. In other words, it is God’s approval that defines our worth and success, not human praise. We should seek God’s approval and live in a way that honors Him, rather than striving for the applause or validation of others. This truth brings freedom, as we no longer need to be bound by the expectations or standards of the world but can rest in knowing that God’s commendation is what truly matters. We don’t need to worry about what others think of us, only what God thinks of us – which is that we are truly precious in His sight.
In a world that constantly measures worth by comparison, accomplishments, and self-promotion, Paul directs our focus back to God. He reminds us that our worth is found in Christ, that our ministry is defined by the boundaries He sets, and that any success we experience is ultimately from Him. We are to boast in the Lord, recognizing that it is His power at work in us that accomplishes great things in our lives and through us.
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