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.
Parallel translations
- WEB But we will not boast beyond proper limits, but within the boundaries with which God appointed to us, which reach even to 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.
- NKJV We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you.
- NASB But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the domain which God assigned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.
- NLT We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul boasts only within the sphere of ministry God assigned him, which rightly includes Corinth. He keeps within God-appointed limits.
Overview
Unlike his rivals, Paul confines any boasting to the field of service God measured out to him, a field that legitimately reaches the Corinthians, since he founded their church. This stewardship language emphasizes that authentic ministry stays within God's calling rather than encroaching on others' work.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- 1 Pet 4:10As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.
- Rom 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;
- Rom 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.
- Eph 4:7Now to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
- 2 Cor 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.
- Rom 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.
- 1 Cor 12:11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines.
- Ps 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.
- Matt 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.
- Prov 25:14Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
- Isa 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.
- Rom 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.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
In Christ all God's promises are 'Yes and Amen'; though rich, he became poor to make us rich, and in him God reconciles the world, making us new creations.
How 2 Corinthians 10:13 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.