2 Corinthians 10:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you.

NIV: 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.

NASB: But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the domain which God assigned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.

CSB: We, however, will not boast beyond measure but according to the measure of the area of ministry that God has assigned to us, which reaches even to you.

NLT: We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you.

KJV: But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

NKJV: We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you.

Opponents in Corinth are challenging Paul's authority as a genuine representative of Christ. They pointed to Paul's lack of an impressive personal attitude. Compared to secular orators, Paul was not as entertaining, dramatic, or engaging. In response, Paul replied in the previous verse that those critics were unwise to participate in competition by comparing themselves to others. Paul refused to even attempt to measure up to the standards of Greek society in this way. His mission was not to win a popularity game, which often included blatant self-promotion.

Paul declares that he and his associates will not boast beyond limits. This means they would not overtly promote themselves in order to win a popularity contest against opponents. Instead, they would only boast about what God had given them to do in their own specific area of influence. That mission was nothing more than to reach the Corinthians with the gospel of Christ. By "boasting," Paul means praising God's power in them and God's power for the Corinthians through them. Paul had used that power to reach the Corinthians with the gospel. That's the only thing that mattered to him and the only thing he would boast about.

This serves as a model for all believers: the powerful truth that God does not call those who serve Him to be "impressive" according to the world's standards. Instead, God empowers Christians to be victorious in the specific areas of influence in which He gives them work. All other comparisons and competitions become a distraction to the work that really matters.

Second Corinthians 10:1–18 contains Paul's response to charges against him from critics in Corinth. They claim that though his letters are potent, he is pathetic in person. Paul does not argue either point. However, he issues a stern warning: that he will arrive prepared for boldness in Christ in punishing every disobedience. He describes the conflict with the false apostles as a spiritual war. He and his associates plan to win that battle by capturing the thoughts of the Corinthians again so they will obey Christ. He will not boast to defend himself except in the Lord.

Critics and other opponents in Corinth argue that though Paul's letters are strong and weighty, he is unimpressive in person. In response, Paul warns the Corinthians not to make him show how bold he can be when he arrives. Paul and his partners fight for the truth about God and the gospel. They battle using spiritual weapons that destroy false arguments. He won't trade boasts with the false apostles, but will only boast in the Lord, who approves of him. The Corinthians should know that—they came to Christ as a result of Paul's ministry to them as an apostle.

Second Corinthians 10 continues the pattern of Paul's letter, as he deals with one topic after another in an orderly way. After concluding his comments about the contribution to the Christians in Jerusalem, Paul tackles a personal charge against him: that he is too unimpressive in person to be a true apostle of Christ. He insists he will follow through on the strong words in his letters when he comes to see them. He is fighting a spiritual war for the minds of the Corinthians and their obedience to Christ and will not stoop to the blatant self-promotion of the false apostles. This counter of false teachers continue into chapter 11.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.