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.
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.
- BSB 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.
- 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 every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
- Rom 12:6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
- Rom 12:3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
- Eph 4:7But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
- 2 Cor 10:14–15For 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:
- Rom 15:20Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:
- 1 Cor 12:11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
- Ps 19:4Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
- Matt 25:15And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
- Prov 25:14Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
- Isa 28:17Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
- Rom 10:18But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
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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
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