Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:12 - 10:18
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2Co_10:12-18
12For 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. 13But 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. 14For 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; 15not 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, 16so 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. 17But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord. 18For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.
2Co_10:12 "but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves" Paul has alluded to human commendations in 2Co_3:1 (cf. 2Co_10:18); now he expands this to human comparisons. Obviously these false teachers were comparing themselves to Paul in such a way as to accentuate their position and depreciate his.
Paul knew from his study of the OT (cf. 1Sa_16:7; Pro_21:2) how fruitless this was. He was probably also familiar with Jesus' teaching about people who justify themselves (cf. Luk_10:29; Luk_16:15; Luk_18:9; Luk_18:14).
There is a note of sarcasm in this verse as there is in 2Co_10:1. Paul used this literary form often in 1 Corinthians.
There is an obvious word play between the two aorist active infinitives.
1. egkrinai (en and krinô), judge as belonging to the same category
2. sugkrinai (sun and krinô), judge by comparing
In codex Bezae (fifth century uncial MS) there is a phrase left out at the end of 2Co_10:12 and the beginning of 2Co_10:13. It seems that a scribe's eye moved from "ou" of 2Co_10:12 to "ouk" of 2Co_10:13 and left out the intervening words ("do not understand. But we will not"). See the second appendix on Textual Criticism. The UBS4 gives the phrase's inclusion a "B" rating (almost certain).
▣ "they are without understanding This was quite a shocking statement.
1. to Greek philosophers it would depreciate their claim to superior spiritual knowledge
2. to Hebrew thinkers it would be an allusion to the animals.
2Co_10:13 Paul is alluding to his divine call and mandate (i.e., his "road to Damascus" experience, cf. Acts 9; Act_22:3-16; Act_26:9-18) to be an Apostle to the Gentiles. He was not comparing or commending, but stating God's call.
God's call on him as special representative to the Gentiles even included the church at Corinth (cf. 2Co_10:14-15).
▣ "the sphere which God apportioned to us" The NASB Study Bible (p. 1701) has a good comment on this phrase.
"2Co_10:13 the sphere which God apportioned to us. The picture Paul has in mind may be that of an athletic contest in which lanes are marked out for the different runners. In that case 'sphere' should be rendered 'lane' (also in 2Co_10:15-16). In intruding themselves into Corinth, the false apostles had crossed into Paul's lane, which was the lane that God had marked out and that had brought him to the Corinthians as their genuine apostle. He has no intention of invading the territory marked out for others and claiming their work as his own, as these false teachers were doing. Others understand the Greek word in question to refer to an assigned sphere of authority."
2Co_10:14 "For we are not overextending" This is another "huper" compound, huperekteinô. See Special Topic: Paul's Use of Huper Compounds at 1Co_2:1.
▣ "we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ" Paul was the founder of the Corinthian church, yet the false teachers were trying to take credit (cf. 2Co_10:18 b).
2Co_10:15 "not boasting beyond our measure. . .in other men's labors" The false teachers were taking credit for the Corinthian church, which Paul established.
2Co_10:16 "so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you" This seems to refer to Paul's desire to go to Rome and/or Spain (cf. Act_19:21; Rom_15:22 ff). He wanted established churches to help him both with a contribution for Jerusalem and to enable him to travel to the western Mediterranean and establish more churches.
For "beyond," this is another "huper" compound, (huperekeinç), see Special Topic: Paul's Use of Huper Compounds at 1Co_2:1.
2Co_10:17 "he who boasts is to boast in the lord" This is a quote from the Septuagint of Jer_9:23-24. It is also quoted in 1Co_1:31. All human boasting is folly. See Special Topic: Boasting at 2Co_1:12.
2Co_10:18 The real question is which faction, teacher, or theology does Jesus approve (cf. 1Co_4:1-5).
Copyright © 2013 hyperlink