2 Corinthians 10:13

But we will not boast beyond proper limits, but within the boundaries with which God appointed to us, which reach even to you.

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Other translations

WEBBE

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.

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.

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.

BBE

We will not give glory to ourselves in over-great measure, but after the measure of the rule which God has given us, a measure which comes even to you.

Original Greek

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ἡμεῖς hēmeis We ourselves G3165 δὲ de however G1161 οὐκ ouk not G3756 εἰς eis into G1519 τὰ ta the [things] G3588 ἄμετρα ametra beyond measure G280 καυχησόμεθα kauchēsometha will boast G2744 ἀλλὰ alla but G235 κατὰ kata according to G2596 τὸ to the G3588 μέτρον metron measure G3358 τοῦ tou of the G3588 κανόνος kanonos area G2583 οὗ hou that G3739 ἐμέρισεν emerisen has assigned G3307 ἡμῖν hēmin to us G3165 ὁ ho (the) G3588 θεὸς theos God G2316 μέτρου metrou a measure G3358 ἐφικέσθαι ephikesthai to reach G2185 ἄχρι achri as far as G891 καὶ kai also G2532 ὑμῶν humōn you G4771

The early church

"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.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 2 Corinthians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 12–18

If we would compare ourselves with others who excel us, this would be a good method to keep us humble. The apostle fixes a good rule for his conduct; namely, not to boast of things without his measure, which was the measure God had distributed to him. There is not a more fruitful source of error, than to judge of persons and opinions by our own prejudices. How common is it for persons to judge of their own religious character, by the opinions and maxims of the world around them! But how different is the rule of God's word! And of all flattery, self-flattery is the worst. Therefore, instead of praising ourselves, we should strive to approve ourselves to God. In a word, let us glory in the Lord our salvation, and in all other things only as evidences of his love, or means of promoting his glory. Instead of praising ourselves, or seeking the praise of men, let us desire that honour which cometh from God only.

Read Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 10 →

Cross-references

12

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.