Free Bible Commentary
“2 Corinthians 10:12-18”
Categories: 2 Corinthians“For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ; not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men's labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you, so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another. But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.”
---End of Scripture Verses---
We must take care to not be people who “measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves” (verse 12). When we make our own thoughts, views and judgments the standard of excellence that everyone else must measure up to, we have essentially become gods to ourselves. The comparison game is a dangerous game to play no matter how we may choose to approach it. But when we set ourselves up as the model to which no one else compares, we have reached the height of arrogance and pride.
The words that the Lord spoke to Edom in Obadiah 1:3-4 applies to everyone who has an overly lofty view of himself: “The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in the loftiness of your dwelling place, who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to earth?' ‘Though you build high like the eagle, though you set your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,’ declares the LORD.”
The false teachers among the brethren in Corinth only compared themselves with themselves because they dared not compare their fake, corrupted, manmade doctrine with the prefect, true, God-breathed teaching of the Apostles. They knew they had to isolate themselves and their targets from the Apostle’s authority in order to take advantage of the brethren to the fullest extent. They commended themselves, but the Lord completely rejected them (verse 18). Thus the Lord rejects anyone who does not believe and teach and practice the truth that was once, for all time, taught by His chosen ambassadors, as revealed in the pages of the New Testament (Jude 1:3).
Please read 2 Corinthians 11:1-4 for tomorrow.
Please come worship God with us today at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ!
3741 Taylorsville Road. 9:30 AM Bible class. 10:30 AM worship period. 5:00 PM worship period.
Have a blessed Lord’s Day and Father’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
