Scripture Daily

Context No. 1292 of 4322 · 2 Corinthians

Context · Reflection

2 Corinthians 10:12-18: in context

12For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding. 13But we will not boast beyond proper limits, but within the boundaries with which God appointed to us, which reach even to you. 14For we don’t stretch ourselves too much, as though we didn’t reach to you. For we came even as far as to you with the Good News of Christ, 15not boasting beyond proper limits in other men’s labors, but having hope that as your faith grows, we will be abundantly enlarged by you in our sphere of influence, 16so as to preach the Good News even to the parts beyond you, not to boast in what someone else has already done. 17But “he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.” 18For it isn’t he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

Paul refuses to play the game his rivals are playing. Some, he says, commend themselves and measure themselves by one another, comparing themselves with themselves, and in doing so they show they have no understanding. Paul will boast only within the limits God assigned him, in the actual work God gave him to do, not in other people's labors. And he lands on the principle that settles the whole matter: let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord, for it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Paul exposes the trap of self-comparison. His rivals measured themselves by each other, drew up their own standards, and congratulated themselves for meeting them, comparing themselves with themselves, a closed loop of self-flattery that Paul says is simply foolish. There is a real trap in that for everyone, the endless measuring of ourselves against other people, which either inflates us when we come out ahead or crushes us when we come out behind, and either way keeps our eyes on the wrong reference point. Paul refuses the whole exercise. He does not compare himself to others; he stays within the actual assignment God gave him and leaves the verdict to God. And the deciding truth is the last line: it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. The only opinion that finally matters is God's. All our self-assessment and our comparison with others is beside the point; the verdict that counts is the Lord's, and it is his to give. That frees a person from the exhausting treadmill of measuring up to others. Do the work God assigned, and let him be the judge; his commendation is the only approval worth having.

Am I caught in the trap of measuring myself against others, inflated or crushed by the comparison, or can I do the work God assigned me and rest in the truth that only his commendation finally counts?

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