2 Corinthians 10:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another 's area of influence.

NIV: so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory.

NASB: so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the domain of another.

CSB: so that we may preach the gospel to the regions beyond you without boasting about what has already been done in someone else’s area of ministry.

NLT: Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory.

KJV: To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.

NKJV: to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment.

In the previous verse, Paul wrote that, unlike his false-teaching opponents, he does not boast in work accomplished by others. The false apostles may have been taking credit for the existence or growth of the church in Corinth. Even though it was Paul who brought the gospel to Corinth, critics are trying to compete for authority over the church.

Paul's hope is to bring the gospel of Jesus to new places where people had not yet trusted in Christ. He previously wrote that he hoped the growth of faith among the Corinthians would contribute to a greater area of influence (2 Corinthians 10:15). His drive for success is aimed entirely at creating more opportunities to preach the gospel. His hope seems to be that increased faith will allow the church in Corinth to contribute towards taking the gospel to new peoples and places—just as Paul did for them.

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.

Accessed 12/18/2024 7:44:09 AM