ONE COMMENDED BY THE LORD

Passage: 2 Corinthians 10:12-18

Key verse: 17

NIV

12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves.(A) When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us,(B) a sphere that also includes you. 14 We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you(C) with the gospel of Christ.(D) 15 Neither do we go beyond our limits(E) by boasting of work done by others.(F) Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow,(G) our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, 16 so that we can preach the gospel(H) in the regions beyond you.(I) For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory. 17 But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[a](J) 18 For it is not the one who commends himself(K) who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.(L)

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Footnotes
  1. 2 Corinthians 10:17 Jer. 9:24
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

12 Not that we dare to classify or (A)compare ourselves with some of those who (B)are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are (C)without understanding.

13 But we will not boast (D)beyond limits, but will (E)boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, (F)to reach even to you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. (G)For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ. 15 We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that (H)as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be (I)greatly enlarged, 16 so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another's area of influence. 17 “Let (J)the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is (K)not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one (L)whom the Lord commends.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Don't measure by human standards (12-15a)

Paul had planted the gospel in Corinth. The believers there were his spiritual children, so he was concerned when someone began to sow seeds of doubt about him among them. He did not measure his work by human standards but sought God's approval. To Paul, boasting meant acknowledging God's work in himself and, through him, in his sheep. He did not criticize the work of others, but sought to build up, not tear down faith. He did his best to plant the seeds of the gospel in the field God had given him.

2. Paul's hope (15b-18)

His hope was that they might grow in faith, and that he might pioneer regions beyond them. Paul was a missionary; he wanted to go on to other unreached areas. He wanted the Corinthians to share with him in the world mission task. God is the one who can make gospel seed grow and produce fruit, so we should boast only in the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, there are many people who criticize others but do nothing about reaching the lost. Help me to grow in faith and share in world mission.

One Word: One whom the Lord commends