Key Verse Spotlight
2 Corinthians 10:12 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding. "
2 Corinthians 10:12
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
10 For, “His letters”, they say, “are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is despised.”
11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present.
12 For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.
13 But we will not boast beyond proper limits, but within the boundaries with which God appointed to us, which reach even to you.
14 For we don’t stretch ourselves too much, as though we didn’t reach to you. For we came even as far as to you with the Good News of Christ,
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In these verses, we see that the apostle refuses to defend himself on the false apostles’ terms, or to use their way of measuring success (2 Corinthians 10:12). He says they were wrong to commend themselves by comparing themselves with one another. That kind of comparison is foolish, because it only measures people against those who are near them, not against what is truly excellent.
They were pleased with their own abilities and proud of them, without thinking about others who were far ahead of them in gifts, grace, power, and authority. That kind of mindset leads to arrogance and disrespect. If we compare ourselves with others who are better than we are, that can keep us humble. We should be thankful for whatever gifts or grace we have, but never become proud of them as if no one could surpass us. Paul would not join that kind of empty self-importance, and neither should we.
Paul then gives a better rule for his own life: he would not boast beyond the measure God had given him (2 Corinthians 10:13). He means, first, that he would not claim more gifts, grace, power, or authority than God had truly given him. More likely, he means that he would not go beyond the work God assigned to him, while the false apostles were boasting about work done by others.
Paul was determined to stay within the area God had appointed for him. His task as an apostle was to preach the gospel everywhere, especially among the Gentiles, non-Jewish people. He was not tied to one city, but he still followed God’s leading and the Holy Spirit’s direction about where to go and where to stay.
He did live by that rule. He did not stretch himself beyond his proper work (2 Corinthians 10:14). This was especially true in Corinth, where he preached by God’s direction and many people came to faith. So when he spoke of the Corinthians as part of his charge, he was not bragging about another man’s labor (2 Corinthians 10:15).
He also looks ahead and says he hopes their faith will grow, and that the gospel will reach even farther into Achaia, the region where Corinth was located. In all of this, he was still staying within the limits of his calling, not working in someone else’s field. His service was fruitful, but he did not claim credit for what belonged to others.
At this point, Paul seems to check himself, as if he might be saying too much in his own defense. The false charges against him forced him to explain his conduct, and their wrong methods gave him a chance to set out a better rule. Still, he is careful not to become proud, and he reminds us of two important truths.
First, if anyone boasts, he should boast in the Lord (2 Corinthians 10:17). If we have sound rules for our conduct, if we follow them well, or if we see good results, all the praise belongs to God. Ministers in particular must guard against boasting in their work. They must give God the glory for both the work and its success.
Second, the one who approves himself is not the one who truly counts as approved, but the one the Lord approves (2 Corinthians 10:18). Self-flattery is one of the worst kinds of flattery, and praising ourselves is often only a form of self-deception. At best, self-praise is no real praise at all, and often it is foolish, vain, and proud. So instead of praising ourselves, we should aim to live in a way that pleases God, because his approval is the best approval we can have.
From This Chapter
2 Corinthians 10:1
"Now I Paul, myself, entreat you by the humility and gentleness of Christ, I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you."
2 Corinthians 10:2
"Yes, I beg you that I may not, when present, show courage with the confidence with which I intend to be bold against some, who consider us to be walking according to the flesh."
2 Corinthians 10:3
"For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh;"
2 Corinthians 10:4
"for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds,"
2 Corinthians 10:5
"throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,"
2 Corinthians 10:6
"and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience when your obedience is made full."
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