2 Corinthians 10:13-18

Applebury's Comments

The Standard By Which The Apostle Boasted
Scripture

2 Corinthians 10:13-18. But we will not glory beyond our measure, but according to the measure of the province which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even unto you. 14 For we stretch not ourselves overmuch, as though we reached not unto you: for we came even as far as unto you in the gospel of Christ: 15 not glorying beyond our measure, that is in other men's labors; but having hope that, as your faith groweth, we shall be magnified in you according to our province unto further abundance, 16 so as to preach the gospel even unto the parts beyond you, and not to glory in another's province in regard of things ready to our hand. 17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

Comments

beyond our measure.When the Lord appointed Paul to the apostleship He clearly defined the limits of his activities, sending him to the Gentiles. When he was at Troas on his second journey, in a vision, the Lord gave him specific instruction to go to Macedonia. Paul's policy was, and this seems to be within the limits the Lord had set for him, to preach the gospel where Christ was not already known, thus avoiding building upon another man's foundation. See Romans 15:18-21. Paul planted, but Apollos watered. This division of labors was approved by Peter and James and John when they gave Paul and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship as they went to the Gentiles while the others continued their ministry among the Jews. Their only request was that Paul and Barnabas should remember the poor of Judea which, of course, he was willing to do. See Galatians 2:6-10.

In the history of Paul's first visit to Corinth given in Acts 18:1-28, no specific direction of the Lord is mentioned indicating that he should preach the gospel there. On other occasions, when emergencies arose, Luke does record the fact that the Lord gave Paul specific instruction as for example when He told him that he would go to Rome. See Acts 23:11. It is quite possible, then, that Paul's journey to Corinth to preach the gospel of Christ came under the general order to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.

The point that Paul is making is that he was under the orders of God to carry out his ministry in Corinth. This raises a serious question about his critics who came later and who were disrupting the progress of the gospel among those who had been converted to Christ through Paul's preaching. From whom did they receive direction to go to Corinth? Paul makes it very clear that they were not ministers of Christ but ministers of Satan. See 2 Corinthians 11:14-15.

For we stretch not ourselves over much.Paul and his associates had not over extended themselves when they came to Corinth, for he was within the limits that God had set for him. He came in his capacity as an apostle of Christ preaching the gospel that had been revealed to him. In no way was he violating the limits which the Lord had set for him; he was not encroaching on other men's labors. He very definitely implies that the false teachers who were disturbing the church at Corinth were imposters. Indeed, they were not true teachers as Apollos had been, for he built on the foundation which Paul had laid (1 Corinthians 3:10-11); but they were endeavoring to destroy that very foundation by perverting the gospel and destroying the confidence the people had in the one who had led them to Christ.

but having hope.Paul, appealing to the sound judgment of those who knew the history of the work in Corinth, expressed his hope that as the faith of the Corinthian brethren increased his place in their affection and his opportunity to work among them might be greatly enlarged. It was also his hope that he might be able to preach the gospel in areas beyond Corinth, but without the need of boasting about work already done by others.

Since the gospel was to be taken into all the world there was no need for duplication of effort even on the part of the faithful gospel ministers, not to mention the imposters who had sought to disrupt Paul's work at Corinth. This raises a serious question about the duplication of work in many areas today, a duplication which has in many cases been brought about by the sin of division. Corinth is a good example of what happens when through strife and faction men seek to propagate their own theological opinions rather than dedicate themselves to the sincere proclamation of the truth as God gave it to be presented to all the world.

But he that glorieth.Paul called attention to a basic principle of his ministry: glorying in the Lord, referring to Jeremiah 29:4 in support of his view.

False teachers were commending themselves as they measured themselves by their own standards, but Paul was concerned that he have the approval of the Lord.

Summary

This third and last section of the letter is a defense of Paul's apostleship. It is a series of appeals in which he answered charges of his enemies. It closes with an explanation of his intended visit.
The first appeal is humbly presented in the spirit of gentleness and meekness of Christ who endeavored to win men to the truth which the Father had sent Him to reveal. Paul had preached Christ to the Corinthians, and they were familiar with His gentleness and deep concern for the erring.
Evidently Paul's enemies had remarked disparagingly about his humility as opposed to what they said was a show of courage through his letters when he was away. Paul begged them to accept the evidence of his apostleship so that he might not be forced to use this courageous boldness in dealing with them as he confidently expected to do against his critics who were saying that he was motivated by base principles.
Taking up the charge, he said, Although we may be walking in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the principles and methods of men. His weapons were mighty, for they were spiritual and capable of demolishing every stronghold in the way. He spoke the truth as an inspired apostle of Christ. Exalted imaginations and arrogant thoughts of men were brought as prisoners to obey Christ. Paul stood ready to avenge every disobedience when they had been given ample opportunity to obey.
Paul charged that they were taking a superficial view of the issues before them. The basis of anyone's claim to be Christ's applied to Paul also. If he had boasted somewhat of his authority, they were to remember that it had been given him by the Lord to edify and not to tear down. But he intended to use this authority if necessary when he came to Corinth, for he was not merely frightening them by the letter. His enemies had said that while his letters were weighty and strong he was weak in person and should be despised. He warned them that what he was in his letters he would be in reality when present.
As to his right to instruct the Corinthians, he was not like some who were setting up their own standards comparing themselves with themselves and who, consequently, were without understanding. He conformed to the standard of measurement which God had established for him. It gave him the right to be the first to come to Corinth to preach the gospel. His enemies evidently, had attempted to take credit for work he had done. Still, he hoped to be assisted by the Corinthians in carrying the gospel to regions beyond them. He did not want to boast about work done by others as if he had done it. Let one's glorying be within the Lord's approval. It is not the one who commends himself, but whom the Lord commends, that is approved. Paul's self-commending critics were not approved by the Lord.