Text -- 2 Corinthians 10:14-18 (NET)

10:14 For we were not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach as far as you, because we were the first to reach as far as you with the gospel about Christ. 10:15 Nor do we boast beyond certain limits in the work done by others, but we hope that as your faith continues to grow, our work may be greatly expanded among you according to our limits, 10:16 so that we may preach the gospel in the regions that lie beyond you, and not boast of work already done in another person’s area. 10:17 But the one who boasts must boast in the Lord. 10:18 For it is not the person who commends himself who is approved, but the person the Lord commends.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: 2Co 10:14

¹ tn Grk “with the gospel of Christ,” but since Χριστοῦ (Cristou) is clearly an objective genitive here, it is better to translate “with the gospel about Christ.”

NET Notes: 2Co 10:15

¹ tn Or “boast excessively.” The phrase εἰς τὰ ἄμετρα (ei" ta ametra) is an idiom; literally it means “into that which is not measured,” that is, a point on a scale that goes beyond what might be expected (L&N 78.27).

² tn Or “in the labors.”

³ tn Grk “but we have the hope.”

⁴ tn Or “greatly enlarged.”

⁵ tn That is, Paul’s work might be greatly expanded within the area of activity assigned to him by God.

NET Notes: 2Co 10:17

¹ tn The traditional translation (“let the one who boasts boast in the Lord”) can be understood as merely permissive by the English reader, but the Greek verb καυχάσθω (kaucasqw) is a third person imperative.

sn A quotation from Jer 9:24 (also quoted in 1 Cor 1:31).