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Text -- 2 Corinthians 10:12 (NET)

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Context
Paul’s Mission
10:12 For we would not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who recommend themselves. But when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: Pride | PAUL, THE APOSTLE, 4 | PAUL, THE APOSTLE, 1 | GALATIANS, EPISTLE TO THE | DARE | Corinth | CORINTHIANS, SECOND EPISTLE TO THE | COMMEND | Boasting | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College , McGarvey , Lapide

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: 2Co 10:12 - -- To number or compare ourselves ( enkrinai ē sunkrinai ). Paronomasia here, play on the two words. Enkrinai is first aorist active infinitive of o...

To number or compare ourselves ( enkrinai ē sunkrinai ).

Paronomasia here, play on the two words. Enkrinai is first aorist active infinitive of old verb, but here only in N.T., to judge among, to judge one as worthy to be numbered among as here. The second verb sunkrinai (first aorist active infinitive of sunkrinō , old verb, in N.T. only here and 1Co 2:13) originally meant to combine as in 1Co 2:13 (which see), but here it has the sense of "compare"not found in the old Greek. The papyri use it to mean to decide. Plummer suggests "to pair and compare"for the play on the words here.

Robertson: 2Co 10:12 - -- Measuring themselves by themselves ( en heautois heautous metrountes ). Or "in themselves."Keenest sarcasm. Setting themselves up as the standards of...

Measuring themselves by themselves ( en heautois heautous metrountes ).

Or "in themselves."Keenest sarcasm. Setting themselves up as the standards of orthodoxy these Judaizers always measure up to the standard while Paul falls short.

Robertson: 2Co 10:12 - -- Comparing themselves with themselves ( sunkrinontes heautous heautois ). Associate instrumental case heautois after sunkrinontes (verb just expla...

Comparing themselves with themselves ( sunkrinontes heautous heautois ).

Associate instrumental case heautois after sunkrinontes (verb just explained). Paul is not keen to fall into the trap set for him.

Robertson: 2Co 10:12 - -- Are without understanding ( ou suniāsin ). The regular form for present active indicative third plural of suniēmi , to comprehend, to grasp. Some...

Are without understanding ( ou suniāsin ).

The regular form for present active indicative third plural of suniēmi , to comprehend, to grasp. Some MSS. have the late form suniousin (omega form suniō ). It is a hard thing to see, but it is true. These men do not see their own picture so obvious to others (Eph 5:17; 1Ti 1:7). Cf. Mar 8:17.

Vincent: 2Co 10:12 - -- Make ourselves of the number ( ἐγκρῖναι ἑαυτούς ) Rev., better, to number ourselves . Lit., to judge ourselves ...

Make ourselves of the number ( ἐγκρῖναι ἑαυτούς )

Rev., better, to number ourselves . Lit., to judge ourselves to be among : to place in the same category with.

Wesley: 2Co 10:12 - -- A strong irony.

A strong irony.

Wesley: 2Co 10:12 - -- As partners of the same office.

As partners of the same office.

Wesley: 2Co 10:12 - -- As partakers of the same labour.

As partakers of the same labour.

Wesley: 2Co 10:12 - -- Choosing and limiting their provinces according to their own fancy.

Choosing and limiting their provinces according to their own fancy.

JFB: 2Co 10:12 - -- "We do not presume (irony) to judge ourselves among, or in comparison with, some of them that commend themselves." The charge falsely brought against ...

"We do not presume (irony) to judge ourselves among, or in comparison with, some of them that commend themselves." The charge falsely brought against him of commending himself (2Co 3:1; 2Co 5:12), really holds good of the false teachers. The phrase, "judge ourselves of the number," is drawn from the testing of athletes and senators, the "approved" being set down on the roll [WAHL].

JFB: 2Co 10:12 - -- "among themselves": to correspond to the previous verb, "judge ourselves among them." Instead of measuring themselves by the public standard, they mea...

"among themselves": to correspond to the previous verb, "judge ourselves among them." Instead of measuring themselves by the public standard, they measure themselves by one made by themselves: they do not compare themselves with others who excel them, but with those like themselves: hence their high self-esteem. The one-eyed is easily king among the blind.

JFB: 2Co 10:12 - -- With all their boasted "wisdom" (1Co 1:19-26), they are anything but "wise."

With all their boasted "wisdom" (1Co 1:19-26), they are anything but "wise."

Clarke: 2Co 10:12 - -- We dare not make ourselves, etc. - As if he had said: I dare neither associate with, nor compare myself to, those who are full of self-commendation....

We dare not make ourselves, etc. - As if he had said: I dare neither associate with, nor compare myself to, those who are full of self-commendation. Some think this to be an ironical speech

Clarke: 2Co 10:12 - -- But they, measuring themselves by themselves - They are not sent of God; they are not inspired by his Spirit; therefore they have no rule to think o...

But they, measuring themselves by themselves - They are not sent of God; they are not inspired by his Spirit; therefore they have no rule to think or act by. They are also full of pride and self-conceit; they look within themselves for accomplishments which their self-love will soon find out; for to it real and fictitious are the same. As they dare not compare themselves with the true apostles of Christ, they compare themselves with each other; and, as they have no perfect standard, they can have no excellence; nor can they ever attain true wisdom, which is not to be had from looking at what we are but to what we should be; and if without a directory, what we should be will never appear, and consequently our ignorance must continue. This was the case with these self-conceited false apostles; but ου συνιουσιν, are not wise, Mr. Wakefield contends, is an elegant Graecism signifying they are not aware that they are measuring themselves by themselves, etc.

TSK: 2Co 10:12 - -- we dare not : 2Co 3:1, 2Co 5:12; Job 12:2; Pro 25:27, Pro 27:2; Luk 18:11; Rom 15:18 are not wise : or, understand it not, Pro 26:12

we dare not : 2Co 3:1, 2Co 5:12; Job 12:2; Pro 25:27, Pro 27:2; Luk 18:11; Rom 15:18

are not wise : or, understand it not, Pro 26:12

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: 2Co 10:12 - -- For we dare not make ourselves of the number - We admit that we are not bold enough for that. They had accused him of a lack of boldness and en...

For we dare not make ourselves of the number - We admit that we are not bold enough for that. They had accused him of a lack of boldness and energy when present with them, 2Co 10:1, 2Co 10:10. Here in a strain of severe but delicate irony, he says he was not bold enough to do things which the had done. He did not dare to do the things which had been done among them. To such boldness of character, present or absent, he could lay no claim.

Or compare ourselves ... - I am not bold enough for that. That requires a stretch of boldness and energy to which I can lay no claim.

That commend themselves - That put themselves forward, and that boast of their endowments and attainments. It is probable that this was commonly done by those to whom the apostle here refers; and it is certain that it is everywhere the characteristic of pride. To do this, Paul says, required greater boldness than he possessed, and on this point he yielded to them the palm. The satire here is very delicate, and yet very severe, and was such as would doubtless be felt by them.

But they measuring themselves by themselves - Whitby and Clarke suppose that this means that they compare themselves with each other; and that they made the false apostles particularly their standard. Doddridge, Grotius, Bloomfield, and some others suppose the sense to be, that they made themselves the standard of excellence. They looked continually on their own accomplishments, and did not look at the excellences of others. They thus formed a disproportionate opinion of themselves, and undervalued all others. Paul says that he had not boldness enough for that. It required a moral courage to which he could lay no claim. Horace (Epis. 2Co 1:7. 98) has an expression similar to this:

"Metirise quemque sue modulo ac pede verum est."

The sense of Paul is, that they made themselves the standard of excellence; that they were satisfied with their own attainments; and that they overlooked the superior excellence and attainments of others. This is a graphic description of pride and self-complacency; and, alas! it is what is often exhibited. How many there are, and it is to be feared even among professing Christians, who have no other standard of excellence than themselves. Their views are the standard of orthodoxy; their modes of worship are the standard of the proper manner of devotion; their habits and customs are in their own estimation perfect; and their own characters are the models of excellence, and they see little or no excellence in those who differ from them. They look on themselves as the true measure of orthodoxy, humility, zeal, and piety; and they condemn all others, however excellent they may be, who differ from them.

And comparing themselves ... - Or rather comparing themselves with themselves. Themselves they make to be the standard, and they judge of everything by that.

Are not wise - Are stupid and foolish. Because:

(1) They had no such excellence as to make themselves the standard.

\caps1 (2) b\caps0 ecause this was an indication of pride.

\caps1 (3) b\caps0 ecause it made them blind to the excellences of others. It was to be presumed that others had endowments not inferior to theirs.

\caps1 (4) b\caps0 ecause the requirements of God, and the character of the Redeemer, were the proper standard of conduct. Nothing is a more certain indication of folly than for a man to make himself the standard of excellence. Such an individual must be blind to his own real character; and the only thing certain about his attainments is, that he is inflated with pride. And yet how common! How self-satisfied are most persons! How pleased with their own character and attainments! How grieved at any comparison which is made with others implying their inferiority! How prone to undervalue all others simply because they differ from them! - The margin renders this: "understand it not,"that is, they do not understand their own character or their inferiority.

Poole: 2Co 10:12 - -- This whole verse is a reflection upon the false teachers of the church of Corinth, from whose manners Paul purgeth himself. I (saith he) durst not, ...

This whole verse is a reflection upon the false teachers of the church of Corinth, from whose manners Paul purgeth himself. I (saith he) durst not, as some others, magnify myself, nor compare myself with those that do so. Neither is it any wisdom in them to contemn and despise others, in comparison of themselves; for observe what measures they take, they only measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves amongst themselves, that is, with birds of their own feather, such as are like unto themselves, and of their own faction and party; which no wise men would do.

Haydock: 2Co 10:12 - -- The following verses to the end of the chapter, are equally obscure, both in the Greek and Latin text. --- We dare not rank or compare ourselves, &c...

The following verses to the end of the chapter, are equally obscure, both in the Greek and Latin text. ---

We dare not rank or compare ourselves, &c. He seems to write this ironically, by way of mocking at those, who commended and preferred themselves before others. But I will not compare myself with others, but will only compare [2] myself with myself, to shew that my actions agree with my words and my letters. ---

We will not glory beyond our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hat measured to us, a measure to reach even to you. Here he speaks of a measure, and a rule. By the measure, with which God measured to him, he means the places and countries, in which he, and the other apostles were appointed to preach, and plant the gospel: and by the rule also prescribed him, he means that it was given him as a rul not to preach, where other ministers of Christ had preached. When he says, therefore, we will not glory beyond our measure, [3] or (as it is implied in the Greek) of things out of the measure, the sense is, I will not, like false preachers, pretend to have preached in places out of my province, or which were not measured out to me, nor have we extended ourselves farther than we ought to have done, when we came to you, for you were within our measure. Nor have I transgressed the rule, because others had not preached to you before me, so that I have not boasted in other men's labours. But as your faith is growing, and increasing, when I have sufficiently settled the gospel among you, I hope my measure may be enlarged, and that without breaking the settled rule, I may preach also to people and places beyond you. This is what seems to be understood by these words, to be enlarged or magnified, even to an abundance, and yet not to glory in other men's labours, but to glory in the Lord, only, and in what we do, as we have been directed, and assisted by him. (Witham)

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[BIBLIOGRAPHY]

Ipsi in nobis nos metipsos metientes; the Greek is somewhat different, Greek: autoi en eautois eautous metrountes, ipsi in seipsis, seipsos mensurantes.

Gill: 2Co 10:12 - -- For we dare not make ourselves of the number,.... Some understand this as spoken ironically, as if the apostle jeeringly should say, he would not pret...

For we dare not make ourselves of the number,.... Some understand this as spoken ironically, as if the apostle jeeringly should say, he would not pretend to join, or put himself upon a level, who was a poor, little, mean, despicable person, with such great men as the false apostles were, men of such large gifts, and of such great learning and eloquence; though they may be understood without an irony, that the modesty of the apostle and his fellow ministers would not suffer them to mingle with such persons, and act the vainglorious part they did: or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves; they were not so vain and foolish, as to give high encomiums of themselves, therefore would not boast even of the authority they had, and much less say that in letters, which they could not make good in fact:

but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise, or "understand not"; how foolish they are, how ridiculous they make themselves; they do not understand what they say, nor whereof they affirm; they do not understand themselves, what they really are; for to form a right judgment of themselves, they should have considered the gifts and abilities, the learning and knowledge of others, and thereby might have taken an estimate of their own; but instead of this, they only consulted themselves, and measured and compared themselves with themselves; which was acting just such a foolish part, as if a dwarf was to measure himself not with any kind of measure, or with another person, but with himself; only surveys himself, and his own dimensions, and fancies himself a giant. Just the reverse is this, to what is said in Philo the Jew o,

"thn gar ouyeneian thn emautou metrein emayon, "I have learned to measure the nothingness of myself", and to contemplate thy exceeding great bounties; and moreover, perceive myself to be dust and ashes, or if there is any thing more abject.''

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: 2Co 10:12 Or “they are unintelligent.”

Geneva Bible: 2Co 10:12 ( 5 ) For we ( h ) dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by ( i...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: 2Co 10:1-18 - --1 Against the false apostles, who disgraced the weakness of his person and bodily presence, he shows the spiritual might and authority with which he w...

MHCC: 2Co 10:12-18 - --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; ...

Matthew Henry: 2Co 10:12-18 - -- In these verses observe, I. The apostle refuses to justify himself, or to act by such rules as the false apostles did, 2Co 10:12. He plainly intimat...

Barclay: 2Co 10:7-18 - --Paul continues to answer his critics; and we are faced with the same problem that we are hearing only one side of the argument and can only deduce wh...

Constable: 2Co 10:1--13:11 - --IV. APPEALS CONCERNING PAUL'S APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY 10:1--13:10 In this third and last major division of his epist...

Constable: 2Co 10:1-18 - --A. Replies to charges made against Paul 10:1-18 Paul responded to charges of cowardice, weakness, and in...

Constable: 2Co 10:12-18 - --3. Reply to the charge of intrusion 10:12-18 Paul defended his right to preach the gospel in Corinth and denied his critics' claim that they had been ...

College: 2Co 10:1-18 - --2 CORINTHIANS 10 VII. FINAL DEFENSE OF MINISTRY (10:1-13:10) Interpreters of 2 Corinthians agree universally that 10:1 initiates a clean break from ...

McGarvey: 2Co 10:12 - --For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with certain of them that commend themselves: but they themselves, measuring themselves by themselv...

Lapide: 2Co 10:1-18 - --CHAPTER 10 SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER i. In this and the two next chapters Paul defends his apostleship against the false apostles, who held him up to...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) Second Corinthians From Macedonia a.d. 54 Or 55 By Way of Introduction The Pauline authorship is admitted by all real scholars, though there is ...

JFB: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) THE following reasons seem to have induced Paul to write this Second Epistle to the Corinthians: (1) That he might explain the reasons for his having ...

JFB: 2 Corinthians (Outline) THE HEADING; PAUL'S CONSOLATIONS IN RECENT TRIALS IN ASIA; HIS SINCERITY TOWARDS THE CORINTHIANS; EXPLANATION OF HIS NOT HAVING VISITED THEM AS HE HA...

TSK: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) The most remarkable circumstance in this Epistle, observes Mr. Scott, is the confidence of the Apostle in the goodness of his cause, and in the power ...

TSK: 2 Corinthians 10 (Chapter Introduction) Overview 2Co 10:1, Against the false apostles, who disgraced the weakness of his person and bodily presence, he shows the spiritual might and auth...

Poole: 2 Corinthians 10 (Chapter Introduction) CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 10

MHCC: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) The second epistle to the Corinthians probably was written about a year after the first. Its contents are closely connected with those of the former e...

MHCC: 2 Corinthians 10 (Chapter Introduction) (2Co 10:1-6) The apostle states his authority with meekness and humility. (2Co 10:7-11) Reasons with the Corinthians. (2Co 10:12-18) Seeks the glory...

Matthew Henry: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians In his former epistle the apostle had signified his i...

Matthew Henry: 2 Corinthians 10 (Chapter Introduction) There was no place in which the apostle Paul met with more opposition from false apostles than at Corinth; he had many enemies there. Let not any o...

Barclay: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTERS TO THE CORINTHIANS The Greatness Of Corinth A glance at the map will show that Corinth was made for greatness. The south...

Barclay: 2 Corinthians 10 (Chapter Introduction) Paul Begins To Answer His Critics (2Co_10:1-6) Paul Continues To Answer His Critics (2Co_10:7-18)

Constable: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) Introduction Historical background First Corinthians did not dispel the problems in th...

Constable: 2 Corinthians (Outline) Outline I. Introduction 1:1-11 A. Salutation 1:1-2 B. Thanksgiving for c...

Constable: 2 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Bibliography Alford, Henry. The Greek Testament. 4 vols. Reprint ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Book Hou...

Haydock: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL, THE APOSTLE, TO THE CORINTHIANS. INTRODUCTION. The subject and design of this second Epistle to the Corinthian...

Gill: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO 2 CORINTHIANS This epistle, according to the subscription at the end of it, was written from Philippi of Macedonia; and though the ...

Gill: 2 Corinthians 10 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO 2 CORINTHIANS 10 In this chapter the apostle has chiefly to do with the false teachers, and it is taken up in refuting their calumn...

College: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION Studying 2 Corinthians plunges the modern reader back to the real, tumultuous world of early Christianity. The simple ideals of sharing ...

College: 2 Corinthians (Outline) OUTLINE I. OPENING - 1:1-2 II. THANKSGIVING - 1:3-11 A. GOD COMFORTS - 1:3-7 B. GOD DELIVERS - 1:8-11 III. DEFENSE OF INTEGRITY - 1:12...

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