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2 Corinthians 10:13

in 2 Corinthians 10

We, however, will not boast beyond our limits, but only within the field of influence that God has assigned to us—a field that reaches even to you.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

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.

KJV

But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

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This verse in 2 Corinthians 10

Commentary

12 notes on this verse

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

Paul's "measure" is the apportionment of his sphere of Gospel labors ruled for him by God. A "rule" among the so-called "apostolic canons" subsequently was, that no bishop should appoint ministers beyond his own limits. At Corinth no minister ought to have been received without Paul's sanction, as Corinth was apportioned to him by God as his apostolic sphere.

This site's exposition

the measure of the rule which God hath distributed

on 2 Corinthians 10:13-14

But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you: kanon, rule, originally a measuring reed, names the field God assigned Paul, and Corinth stands inside it since Paul planted the church there himself. For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: the bench reads the argument as a direct answer to rivals who arrived after Paul and claimed credit for ground he had already broken, Paul's authority resting on God's own assignment and on having actually done the founding work.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers4 voices

A commentator

Ambrosiaster

COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES · Written before 384.

proposed

Paul takes advantage of his authority only to the extent that he glories in the progress of believers, so that his power may be conducive to salvation and not self-aggrandizement. He did not boast beyond the power that was given to him, nor did he …

A commentator

Tertullian

On Prayer · Written before 220.

proposed

Touching such, however, as are betrothed, I can with constancy "above my small measure" pronounce and attest that they are to be veiled from that day forth on which they shuddered at the first bodily touch of a man by kiss and hand.

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily 22 on 2 Corinthians · Written in the 5th century.

proposed

"But we will not glory beyond our measure:" as they do. For it is probable that in their boasting they said, 'we have converted the world, we have reached unto the ends of the earth,' and vented many other such like big words. 'But not so we,' he says, "But according to the measure of the province which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even unto you." So that his humility is evident on either hand, both in that he boasted nothing more than he had wrought, and that he refers even this itself to God. For, "according to the measure of the province," saith he, "which God apportioned to us, a measure to reach even unto you." Just as if portioning out a vine to husbandmen, even so He meted out unto us. As far then as we have been counted worthy to attain to, so far we boast.

A commentator

Cyprian

Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews · Written before 258.

proposed

In the Epistle of Peter to them of Pontus: "Nor let any of you suffer as a thief, or a murderer, or as an evil-doer, or as a minder of other people's business,

The Medieval Church1 voice

A commentator

Thomas Aquinas

Commentary on 2 Corinthians · Written before 1274.

proposed

Having indicated the reason behind the things he had said, the Apostle now explains that reason. For he had said that he measures himself by himself and did not go beyond that measure. But a person could be excessive in two ways in glorying and …
5 more voices on this verse

The Medieval Church1 voice

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on 2 Corinthians · Written before 1107.

proposed

For, boasting, they perhaps said: "we have reached the ends of the earth and converted the world." But we, he says, are not like that. Just as God divided vineyards among farmers, so also He divided the world among us, the apostles. Therefore, we will …

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

His commission as an apostle was to preach the gospel every where, especially among the Gentiles, and he was not confined to one place; yet he observed the directions of Providence, and the Holy Spirit, as to the particular places whither he went or where he did abide.
But we will not boast of things without our measure,....

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

proposed

Things without our measure - There is a great deal of difficulty in this and the three following verses, and there is a great diversity among the MSS.; and which is the true reading can scarcely be determined. Our version is perhaps the plainest that can be made of the text. By the measure mentioned here, it seems as if the apostle meant the commission he received from God to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles; a measure or district that extended through all Asia Minor and Greece, down to Achaia, where Corinth was situated, a measure to reach even unto you. But the expressions in these verses are all agonistical, and taken from the stadium or race course in the Olympic and Isthmian games. The μετρον, or measure, was the length of the δρομος, or course; and the κανων, rule or line, 2Co 10:15, 2Co 10:16, was probably the same with the γραμμα, or white line, which marked out the boundaries of the stadium; and the verbs reach unto, stretch out, etc., are all references to the exertions made to win the race. As this subject is so frequently alluded to in these epistles, I have thought it of importance to consider it particularly in the different places where it occurs.
But we will not boast of things without our measure - Tyndale renders this:” But we will not rejoice above measure.” There is great obscurity in the language here, arising from its brevity. But the general idea seems to be plain.

The words behind it

23 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

13 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Romans 12:6We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith;6 works1 Peter 4:10As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.6 worksRomans 15:20In this way I have aspired to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.5 works2 Corinthians 10:14–15We are not overstepping our bounds, as if we had not come to you. Indeed, we were the first to reach you with the gospel of Christ.5 worksEphesians 4:7Now to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.5 worksRomans 12:3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.5 works
The other 7 cross-references, with their words ▾
1 Corinthians 12:11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines.5 works2 Corinthians 10:15Neither do we boast beyond our limits in the labors of others. But we hope that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you will greatly increase as well,5 worksProverbs 25:14Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.2 worksRomans 10:18But I ask, did they not hear? Indeed they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”2 worksIsaiah 28:17I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the level. Hail will sweep away your refuge of lies, and water will flood your hiding place.2 worksMatthew 25:15To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey.2 worksPsalms 19:4their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun.2 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    1 Peter 4:10

    As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.

    it leads to

    • Romans 12:6–8

      We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith;

      Reached by 2 separate paths from here.

    • 1 Corinthians 12:4–11

      There are different gifts, but the same Spirit.

      Reached by 2 separate paths from here.

    • 1 Corinthians 4:1–2

      So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

    • Mark 10:45

      For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

    • Hebrews 6:10

      For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.

  • Through

    Ephesians 4:7

    Now to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

    it leads to

    • Romans 12:3

      For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure…

      Reached by 2 separate paths from here.

  • Through

    Romans 12:6

    We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith;

    it leads to

    • 1 Peter 4:10–11

      As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.

    • 1 Corinthians 7:7

      I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

Where this verse is studied

On this page

Studies1

About 2 Corinthians

The Crown of Thorns, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
The Crown of Thorns, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
2 Corinthians: the study guide →Read 2 Corinthians 10 →
This page draws on 13 works. Open the list of works

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Second Epistle to the Corinthians; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES; Charles Hodge, An Exposition of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians; Cyprian, Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily 22 on 2 Corinthians; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Tertullian, On Prayer; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 2 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 2 Corinthians.

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