2 Corinthians 10:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

NIV: But, 'Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.'

NASB: But THE ONE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE Lord.

CSB: So let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.

NLT: As the Scriptures say, 'If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.'

KJV: But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

NKJV: But “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”

Some in Corinth had apparently begun to succumb to false teachers who bragged about their own skills, wisdom, and worthiness. Those frauds have pointed to Paul's unimpressive personal appearance and lack of dramatic speaking skill as evidence that he was not a genuine representative of Christ.

Paul has written that he will not participate in such a competition. He has no reason to promote himself and down opponents in hopes of winning a popularity contest among the Corinthians. He has already won the only contest that matters: being successful, in God's power, at introducing the Corinthians to Christ and establishing a church there. What would be the point of boasting in himself now?

To further support this, Paul quotes from Jeremiah 9:24, much as he did in an earlier letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 1:31). The Lord said to Jeremiah, "Let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth."

Paul shortens this to, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." Paul has certainly presented evidence of his genuineness as an apostle and the falseness of his opponents, but his final boast is always in the Lord and not in himself.

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.