It Starts Small

After strong, warlike words, Paul begins to reason with the Corinthians. Are they confident that they belong to Christ? If so, they should remember that he was the one who introduced them to Christ. That means Christ is real in him, as well. He is not a false apostle. Paul continues to build up the Corinth believers.

⁷ Look at what is obvious. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, let him remind himself of this: Just as he belongs to Christ, so do we. ⁸ For if I boast a little too much about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be put to shame. ⁹ I don’t want to seem as though I am trying to terrify you with my letters. ¹⁰ For it is said, “His letters are weighty and powerful, but his physical presence is weak and his public speaking amounts to nothing.” ¹¹ Let such a person consider this: What we are in our letters, when we are absent, we will also be in our actions when we are present.

¹² For we don’t dare classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. But in measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves, they lack understanding.

2 Corinthians 10:7-12

Look at what is obvious

This is a heartfelt plea from Paul, urging everyone to truly examine the facts with clarity and embrace common sense. Some individuals within the church unfairly called him a false teacher. They accused him of exploiting his authority for selfish purposes. With deep conviction, Paul implores them to open their eyes and recognize the truth that lies before them. He has devoted himself to their service selflessly, never seeking personal gain. Pouring his heart and soul into their well-being, he cared for them as a loving father would. It’s time for them to reject these devastating lies and see the reality of his unwavering commitment.

Satan is a master of deceit. He skillfully whispers his lies, which spread insidiously like gangrene, infecting the hearts of many. Yet, the Almighty God holds the power to illuminate our understanding and unveil the profound truth. Do not be swayed by the venomous false reports! Instead, fervently seek God to awaken your soul and enlighten your eyes to the radiant truth.

If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that so are we

Others boldly claimed allegiance to Christ, yet Paul declared, “so are we.” In essence, he shouted, “we are believers too!” Paul was no shadowy figure lurking with hidden agendas; he bore no devious motives. What they witnessed was raw and genuine—a devoted servant of Christ, overflowing with love and care for them.

If I boast a little too much I will not be ashamed

Paul has spent much of the letter of 2 Corinthians defending himself. He has talked about his pure motives. He discussed his credentials and his apostleship. He mentioned his communication and his work on their behalf. Paul covered much more as well. To many, it might look like Paul spent all together too much time focusing on himself, even boasting. But Paul says that he is not ashamed. It was necessary to defend himself against the false accusations. He wanted to ensure that the Corinthians would not reject him or his message, the gospel of Christ.

There are many warnings in Scripture not to boast in arrogance.

³ Do not boast so proudly,
or let arrogant words come out of your mouth,
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
and actions are weighed by him.

1 Samuel 2:3

But Paul knew his intentions were genuine. He did not say these things out of an arrogant desire to build himself up or receive the Corinthians praise. His motives were pure. Thus he had a clear conscience in saying these things.

¹⁶ I always strive to have a clear conscience toward God and men.

Acts 24:16

Their authority was for building up

Paul held profound authority over the Corinthians, and oh, how he wielded it! He channeled that power into uplifting them, pouring love and strength into their lives. Instead of succumbing to the temptation of self-serving abuse, he chose to nurture their spirits. Sadly, in our world today, countless individuals misuse their authority for their own selfish gains. Politicians will stop at nothing to cling to power, often at the expense of those they are meant to serve. Meanwhile, some mega-church pastors bask in opulence, feeding off the generous donations of the vulnerable and elderly. They ignite fervor with empty promises and ostentatious spectacles, wreaking havoc on the very souls they claim to support. How heartbreaking it is when people’s faith crumbles because the healing they were promised never comes!

Jesus made it clear that the correct model of leadership is serving.

¹¹ The greatest among you will be your servant.

Matthew 23:11

Jesus Himself exemplified this calling, and we must follow His lead. Being a true leader of a flock requires more than seeking opulence. It demands deep self-sacrifice. It calls for unwavering commitment. Our ultimate mission is to uplift God’s people. Take a close look at your Christian leaders. Do they, like Paul, wield their authority to empower and elevate you? Or do they exploit your presence for their gain? Are they more interested in standing on your shoulders than in lifting you up? If your leaders prioritize their own desires, it is a clear signal. It may be time to seek a new church home where genuine service and love reign.

I do not want to appear to be frightening you with my letters

Paul’s letters were, at times, strikingly “severe.” Yet, his intention was never to instill fear, but rather to ignite a fervent desire for repentance within them.

His letters are weighty, but his bodily presence is weak

Here is another powerful accusation directed at Paul. He was labeled as a bold and compelling writer, yet perceived as weak in person. In response to this unfair critique, Paul passionately declares, “Let such a person understand that our words in letters are actions in person.” In essence, their lives and their message were in perfect harmony. They stood unwaveringly against hypocrisy. They lived out the very truths they proclaimed. A hypocritical preacher can only watch as their credibility crumbles. People instinctively learn to dismiss them when they see a disconnect between word and action. But Paul was different—he lived his teachings with fervor and authenticity.

He fervently articulated in 2 Corinthians 10:1-2 that he was bold when distant yet humble in their presence. His methodology was nothing short of intentional and strategic. A letter, with its ability to foster reflection and genuine repentance, served as the perfect vehicle for his rebuke. His hope was that, after receiving such strong letters, the Corinthians would experience a profound change of heart. Then, when Paul arrived in person, they could embrace one another in joyful fellowship. They would avoid the darkness of confrontation.

Those who measure and compare with others are without understanding

Paul chooses not to engage in the unhealthy practice of comparing. Certain others did so.

Why do people compare themselves to others?

The driving force behind this verse rings loud and clear: they yearned to exalt themselves! People engage in relentless comparisons, desperate to prove their superiority, inflating their own egos. Those who indulge in such behavior often want to highlight others’ shortcomings. They mistakenly believe this will elevate their status. There are several fundamental issues with this habit of comparison. First and foremost, other individuals are not our benchmark. It’s all too easy to spot someone who falls short, giving you a false sense of superiority. Yet, we must remember—God is our true standard. We are called to embody holiness, just as God is holy. It’s simply insufficient to be merely less flawed than Neighbor Joe!

In the end, our ultimate goal should be to passionately please God. We should not simply ingratiate ourselves with the fleeting opinions of others. What sins arise from this dreadful act of comparison? Jealousy, pride, and boasting are just a few of the destructive sins. Selfishness, empty conceit, vain rivalry, and insatiable greed also spring from or lead to the treacherous mindset of comparing ourselves to one another.

² keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2

Hebrews 12:2 fervently urges us to “fix our eyes on Jesus.” With unwavering focus, set your gaze upon Him and passionately strive to delight Him. His opinion is the only one that holds true significance and weight in our lives.

Do you find yourself measuring your worth against others, whether vocally or silently within your thoughts? What lies at the heart of this tendency? Take a moment to deeply reflect on this inquiry and allow yourself to be brutally honest. If you recognize a pattern of comparison, lay it bare before the Lord. Approach that individual and openly acknowledge your feelings of rivalry or jealousy. Instead, choose to uplift those around you when they achieve success and genuinely celebrate alongside those who find joy.

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Cross-Reference

• 1 Peter 4:10
• 1 Peter 4:11
• Galatians 1:10
• Philippians 2:3

Reflective Questions

• Why does Paul say, “look at what is before your eyes?” What does he want them to see?
• Why did Paul boast of his authority?
• What was this authority used for?
• What can we learn from this about the proper exercise of authority?
• Why did Paul write such severe letters?
• In verse 10, what did people accuse Paul of?
• What was the connection between Paul’s letters and his “in person” behavior?
• Why is a person who compares himself with others “without understanding?”
• Why do many people compare themselves to others?
• Why is this practice unhealthy?

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 ¹³ We, however, will not boast beyond measure but according to the measure of the area of ministry that God has assigned to us, which reaches even to you. ¹⁴ For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we had not reached you, since we have come to you with the gospel of Christ. ¹⁵ We are not boasting beyond measure about other people’s labors. On the contrary, we have the hope that as your faith increases, our area of ministry will be greatly enlarged, ¹⁶ so that we may preach the gospel to the regions beyond you without boasting about what has already been done in someone else’s area of ministry. ¹⁷ So let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. ¹⁸ For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one the Lord commends.

2 Corinthians 10:13-18

We will not boast beyond limits

Paul did not offer self-praise in every aspect of his life. This was not an act of randomness or arrogance. Instead, Paul fervently highlighted his motives and actions within a particular scope for a profound purpose. His burning desire was to bolster his credibility with the Corinthians, igniting their willingness to truly listen.

Remember Paul’s stated goal in 2 Corinthians 5:20, “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

Paul had a passionate longing for the Corinthian’s spiritual growth in the Lord. This ignited a fervent drive in him to “boast” sincerely. He did this with thoughtful restraint. Every word he declared rang true and genuine. His words lacked the embellishments typically embraced by those only seeking their own glory.

In verse 14, Paul passionately defends his unwavering care for them, emphasizing that it was no fabrication. They have never overstated their selfless service on behalf of the Corinthians. It was Paul and his dedicated team who courageously brought them the life-changing gospel. This profound truth alone should ignite within the church at Corinth a recognition of their pure and heartfelt motives.

Our hope is that are your faith increases our area of influence among you will be enlarged

Paul yearned to be a powerful instrument among the Corinthians. He wanted his ministry to produce a bountiful harvest in their lives. He deeply loved them. His heartfelt desire was for their growth. He was not driven by any selfish ambition of his own.

So that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you

Paul’s ministry model was driven by an unwavering passion to plant churches, ignite leaders, and boldly venture into new territories. His heart burned with a vision to carry the gospel into uncharted lands, where it had never been proclaimed before. He knew with fervent hope that if the Corinthians became firmly rooted in their faith, he could confidently leave them behind. He would then propel himself forward as a relentless pioneer of the gospel to new and exciting regions. These regions awaited the transformative message of Christ.

Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord

Boasting means to lift up or draw attention to something.

²⁴ But the one who boasts should boast in this:
that he understands and knows me—
that I am the Lord, showing faithful love,
justice, and righteousness on the earth,
for I delight in these things.
This is the Lord’s declaration.

Jeremiah 9:24

Often, the term is cloaked in negativity when we talk about ourselves. But to boast in the Lord? That’s a vibrant celebration! It’s all about drawing attention to Him and lifting His name on high. It’s exalting Him as the ultimate source of our praise. Instead of proclaiming, “I am great,” we joyfully shout, “God is great!” Ultimately, everything Paul articulated that was positive about himself served a singular purpose—to glorify God with unmatched fervor. Do you boldly boast in the Lord? Our mouths should overflow with His praises! Our mission is clear: to passionately draw others to Him!

It is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends

Yahweh reigns supreme on His throne, the ultimate judge of our hearts and actions! A person may sing their own praises, but without God’s commendation, “Well done,” those accolades fall flat and meaningless. Receiving honor from fellow humans can surpass our own self-affirmation. Yet, earning the divine praise of God is profoundly magnificent! He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. It is His final verdict that will be rendered over each soul, making His opinion paramount above all else. Thus, let us fervently strive to delight Him in everything we undertake!

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Cross-Reference

• James 4:16
• Proverbs 27:2
• Jeremiah 9:23
• Galatians 6:14

Reflective Questions

• What does Paul mean that “we will not boast beyond limits?”
• What is the appropriate “limit” to boasting?
• When is it acceptable to commend yourself?
• What did Paul remind the Corinthians of in verse 14?
• What can we learn about Paul’s goal in verse 15?
• Explain the phrase, “let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
• Since self commendation is meaningless, then why does it seem that Paul did it?
• When and how could a person be commended by God?

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