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2Co 10:12. Οὐ γὰρ τολμῶμεν, for we dare not) Paul very fully vindicates his apostolic authority, under which the Corinthians are also placed: and he refutes the false apostles who, [2Co 11:13-14] assuming any specious form whatever, also obtruded themselves among them, and put the sickle into Paul’s harvest. Reproving the bold daring of these drones, he says, we dare not; in which, while he tells what he himself does not do, he marks by implication, what they are doing. I, says he, claim nothing to myself from them [I own no connection with them]; let them in turn cease to join themselves to us [identify themselves with us], even at Corinth. He puts a hedge between himself and them.-ἐγκρῖναι ἢ συγκρῖναι) to place [ourselves] on the same level, as sharers of the same office; or to compare [ourselves] as partakers of the same labour; both, in respect to you: ἐγκρίνονται, things are placed on the same level with one another, which are of the same kind; συγκρίνονται, things are compared, which, though they differ in kind, are supposed to have at least the same relative aspect [rationem]. μετροῦντες presently after corresponds to ἐγκρῖναι, as συγκρίνοντες to συγκρῖναι.-τῶν) The Genitive. Of those, who commend themselves, the boldest ἐγκρίνουσι, place themselves on the same level, etc.-καὶ συγκρίνοντες, and comparing) This expression is put at the beginning of the clause for the sake of emphasis.-ἑαυτοῖς,[68] οὐχὶ, κ.τ.λ.) See Appendix. Crit. on this passage. This phraseology does not indeed apply to the false apostles, who really attempted to measure themselves by others, and to obtrude themselves among them. Paul, on the contrary, says of himself and those like himself, we measure ourselves by ourselves, not by them, the false apostles; we compare ourselves with ourselves, not with them.[69]
[68] D(Λ)Gfg Vulg. Lucif. omit οὐ συνιοῦσιν. But B reads the words (συνιᾶσιν, which Lachm. prefers): so also Memph. and both Syr. Versions.-ED.
[69] It is consistent with this, that the Ger. Ver., although it expresses the words ὀυ συνιοῦσιν ἡμεῖς δὲ, yet so arranges the agreement of the words, that the same sense comes out, which the Gnomon gives.-E. B.