2 Corinthians 10:12-14 (WEL) We don’t dare classify ourselves to be that way or compare ourselves with those who speak highly of themselves, but they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves. They are not wise. 13 We will not brag beyond proper boundaries, but according to God’s standard given to us—a measure that affects even you. 14 For we are not going beyond these boundaries as if we didn’t reach you, for we did come all the way to you also preaching the Good News about Christ.
V12 We don’t dare classify ourselves to be that way or compare ourselves with those who speak highly of themselves, but they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves. They are not wise.
The false teachers, calling themselves apostles, do not align with God’s standards in faith, life, teaching, actions, relationships with others, etc. They live by their own standards and compare themselves to their own standards and those of the same class of false teachers. This is very foolish. Because God judges people by His standards, not our standards or those of our favorite teachers, etc.
Hampton: “Paul did not see himself as an equal to his opponents in their ability to exaggerate their own power and authority. Apparently they had accused him of commending himself (2 Corinthians 3:1; 2 Corinthians 5:12), but they were describing their own problem. Within their own narrow circle, they looked big to themselves, but showed their lack of knowledge of the way things were elsewhere. We will be judged by Christ’s word (John 12:48), not our own consciences. Written on side – We should not compare ourselves to the world, but to Christ.”
V13 We will not brag beyond proper boundaries, but according to God’s standard given to us—a measure that affects even you.
There is a place for satisfaction in what we do for the Lord. All glory must go to God alone. It is God’s standards that judge us. Paul tells the Corinthians that they, too, are bound by the same standards and will be judged by Him accordingly.
JFB: “There is no limit to a man’s self-conceit so long as he measures himself by himself (2 Corinthians 10:13) and his fellows, and not with his superiors. It marks the personal character of this letter that “boast” occurs 29 times in it, and only 26 times in all the other letters. Undeterred by the charge of vanity, he must vindicate his apostolic authority by facts (Conybeare). It would be to “boast of things without our measure” were we to boast of conversions made by “other men’s labors” (2 Corinthians 10:15).”
V14 For we are not going beyond these boundaries as if we didn’t reach you, for we did come all the way to you also preaching the Good News about Christ.
Paul shows his eagerness to preach to the Corinthians the Good News (Gospel of Jesus Christ). God’s rule for Paul was to preach to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:9).
We learn:
- God’s standards are the standards we must align with.
- We must live and teach God’s standards.
Questions:
- When you examine yourself by God’s standards, how do you measure?
- Are you living according to God’s standards?