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collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Robertson: 2Co 10:16 - -- Even unto the parts beyond you ( eis ta huperekeina humōn ).
Compound adverb (huper , ekeina , beyond those places) used as preposition. Found onl...
Even unto the parts beyond you (
Compound adverb (

Robertson: 2Co 10:16 - -- Things ready to our hand ( ta hetoima ).
He had a plenty besides that he could use.
Things ready to our hand (
He had a plenty besides that he could use.

Robertson: 2Co 10:18 - -- @@Is approved (dokimos ). Accepted (from dechomai ) by the Lord. The Lord accepts his own recommendation (sunistēsin , see note on 2Co 3:1.).
@@Is approved (
Vincent -> 2Co 10:16
Vincent: 2Co 10:16 - -- In another man's line ( ἐν ἀλλοτρίῳ κανόνι )
Line is the word previously rendered rule . He will not boast within th...
In another man's line (
Line is the word previously rendered rule . He will not boast within the line drawn for another; in another's field of activity.
Wesley -> 2Co 10:16
To the west and south, where the gospel had not yet been preached.
That is, so as to preach . . . beyond you (and) not to boast, &c.

JFB: 2Co 10:16 - -- Do not connect "line of things," &c.; but "boast of things," &c. To make this clearer, arrange the words thus, "Not to boast as to things (already mad...
Do not connect "line of things," &c.; but "boast of things," &c. To make this clearer, arrange the words thus, "Not to boast as to things (already made by the preaching of others) ready to our hand in another man's line (that is, within the line, or sphere of labor, apportioned by God to another)."

JFB: 2Co 10:17 - -- Translate, to accord with 2Co 10:16, "boasteth." In contrast to his opponents' practice of boasting in another's line or sphere, Paul declares the onl...

JFB: 2Co 10:18 - -- To whom the Lord has given as His "Epistle of commendation," the believers whom he has been the instrument of converting: as was Paul's case (2Co 3:1-...
To whom the Lord has given as His "Epistle of commendation," the believers whom he has been the instrument of converting: as was Paul's case (2Co 3:1-3).

JFB: 2Co 10:18 - -- Can stand the test of the final trial. A metaphor from testing metals (Rom 16:10; 1Co 11:19). So on the other hand those finally rejected by the Lord ...
Clarke: 2Co 10:16 - -- To preach the Gospel in the regions beyond you - He probably refers to those parts of the Morea, such as Sparta, etc., that lay southward of them; a...
To preach the Gospel in the regions beyond you - He probably refers to those parts of the Morea, such as Sparta, etc., that lay southward of them; and to Italy, which lay on the west; for it does not appear that he considered his measure or province to extend to Libya, or any part of Africa. See the Introduction, Section 12.

Clarke: 2Co 10:16 - -- Not to boast in another man’ s line - So very scrupulous was the apostle not to build on another man’ s foundation, that he would not even...
Not to boast in another man’ s line - So very scrupulous was the apostle not to build on another man’ s foundation, that he would not even go to those places where other apostles were labouring. He appears to think that every apostle had a particular district or province of the heathen world allotted to him, and which God commissioned him to convert to the Christian faith. No doubt every apostle was influenced in the same way; and this was a wise order of God; for by these means the Gospel was more quickly spread through the heathen provinces than it otherwise would have been. The apostles had deacons or ministers with them whose business it was to water the seed sown; but the apostles alone, under Christ, sowed and planted.

Clarke: 2Co 10:17 - -- He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord - Instead of boasting or exulting even in your own success in preaching the Gospel, as none can be succe...
He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord - Instead of boasting or exulting even in your own success in preaching the Gospel, as none can be successful without the especial blessing of God, let God who gave the blessing have the glory. Even the genuine apostle, who has his commission immediately from God himself, takes no praise to himself from the prosperity of his work, but gives it all to God. How little cause then have your uncommissioned men to boast, to whom God has assigned no province, and who only boast in another man’ s line of things made ready to their hand!

Clarke: 2Co 10:18 - -- Not he that commendeth himself - Not the person who makes a parade of his own attainments; who preaches himself, and not Christ Jesus the Lord; and,...
Not he that commendeth himself - Not the person who makes a parade of his own attainments; who preaches himself, and not Christ Jesus the Lord; and, far from being your servant for Christ’ s sake, affects to be your ruler; not such a one shall be approved of God, by an especial blessing on his labors; but he whom the Lord commendeth, by giving him the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit, and converting the heathen by his ministry. These were qualifications to which the false apostle at Corinth could not pretend. He had language and eloquence, and show and parade; but he had neither the gifts of an apostle nor an apostle’ s success
1. Dr. Whitby observes that the apostle, in the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th verses, (2Co 10:13-16) endeavors to advance himself above the false apostles in the three following particulars: -
(1.) That whereas they could show no commission to preach to the Corinthians, no measure by which God had distributed the Corinthians to them as their province, he could do so. We have a measure to reach even to you, 2Co 10:13
(2.) That whereas they went out of their line, leaping from one Church to another, he went on orderly, in the conversion of the heathens, from Judea through all the interjacent provinces, till he came to Corinth
(3.) Whereas they only came in and perverted the Churches where the faith had already been preached, and so could only boast of things made ready to their hands, 2Co 10:16, he had labored to preach the Gospel where Christ had not been named, lest he should build on another man’ s foundation, Rom 15:20
2. We find that from the beginning God appointed to every man his promise, and to every man his labor; and would not suffer even one apostle to interfere with another. This was a very wise appointment; for by this the Gospel was not only more speedily diffused over the heathen nations, as we have already remarked, but the Churches were better attended to, the Christian doctrine preserved in its purity, and the Christian discipline properly enforced. What is any men’ s work is no man’ s in particular; and thus the work is neglected. In every Church of God there should be some one who for the time being has the care of it, who may be properly called its pastor; and who is accountable for its purity in the faith, and its godly discipline
3. Every man who ministers in holy things should be well assured of his call to the work; without this he can labor neither with confidence nor comfort. And he should be careful to watch over the flock, that no destroying wolf be permitted to enter the sacred fold, and that the fences of a holy discipline be kept in proper repair
4. It is base, abominable, and deeply sinful, for a man to thrust himself into other men’ s labors, and, by sowing doubtful disputations among a Christian people, distract and divide them, that he may get a party to himself. Such persons generally act as the false apostle at Corinth; preach a relaxed morality; place great stress upon certain doctrines which flatter and soothe self-love; calumniate the person, system of doctrines, and mode of discipline, of the pastor who perhaps planted that Church, or who in the order of God’ s providence has the oversight of it. This is an evil that has prevailed much in all ages of the Church; there is at present much of it in the Christian world, and Christianity is disgraced by it.
Calvin: 2Co 10:17 - -- 17.But he that glorieth This statement is made by way of correction, as his glorying might be looked upon as having the appearance of empty boasting....
17.But he that glorieth This statement is made by way of correction, as his glorying might be looked upon as having the appearance of empty boasting. Hence he cites himself and others before the judgment-seat of God, saying, that those glory on good grounds, who are approved by God. To glory in the Lord, however, is used here in a different sense from what it bears in the first chapter of the former Epistle, (1Co 1:31,) and in Jer 9:24. For in those passages it means — to recognize God as the author of all blessings, in such a way that every blessing is ascribed to his grace, while men do not extol themselves, but glorify him alone. Here, however, it means — to place our glory at the disposal of God alone, 789 and reckon every thing else as of no value. For while some are dependent on the estimation of men, and weigh themselves in the false balance of public opinion, and others are deceived by their own arrogance, Paul exhorts us to be emulous of this glow — that we may please the Lord, by whose judgment we all stand or fall.
Even heathens say, that true glory consists in an upright conscience. 790 Now that is so much, but it is not all; for, as almost all are blind through excessive self-love, we cannot safely place confidence in the estimate that we form of ourselves. For we must keep in mind what he says elsewhere, (1Co 4:4,) that he is not conscious to himself of anything wrong, and yet is not thereby justified. What then? Let us know, that to God alone must be reserved the right of passing judgment upon us; for we are not competent judges in our own cause. This meaning is confirmed by what follows —

Calvin: 2Co 10:18 - -- For not he that commendeth himself is approved “For it is easy to impose upon men by a false impression, and this is matter of every day occurrence....
For not he that commendeth himself is approved “For it is easy to impose upon men by a false impression, and this is matter of every day occurrence. Let us, therefore, leaving off all other things, aim exclusively at this — that we may be approved by God, and may be satisfied to have his approbation alone, as it justly ought to be regarded by us as of more value than all the applauses of the whole world. There was one that said, that to have Plato’s favorable judgment was to him worth a thousand. 791 The question here is not as to the judgment of mankind, in respect of the superiority of one to another, but as to the sentence of God himself, who has it in his power to overturn all the decisions that men have pronounced.
preach : Rom 15:24-28
line : or, rule, 2Co 10:13

TSK: 2Co 10:17 - -- Psa 105:3, Psa 106:5; Isa 41:16, Isa 45:25, Isa 65:16; Jer 4:2, Jer 9:23, Jer 9:24; Rom 5:11 *Gr: 1Co 1:29, 1Co 1:31; Gal 6:13, Gal 6:14; Phi 3:3 *Gr:...

TSK: 2Co 10:18 - -- not : 2Co 10:12, 2Co 3:1, 2Co 5:12; Pro 21:2, Pro 27:2; Luk 16:15, Luk 18:10-14
approved : 2Co 6:4, 2Co 13:7; Act 2:22; Rom 14:18, Rom 16:10; 1Co 11:1...

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes: 2Co 10:16 - -- To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you - What regions are referred to here can be only a matter of conjecture. It may be that he wished...
To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you - What regions are referred to here can be only a matter of conjecture. It may be that he wished to preach in other parts of Greece, and that he designed to go to Arcadia or Lacedaemon. Rosenmuller supposes that as the Corinthians were engaged in commerce, the apostle hoped that by them some tidings of the gospel would reach the countries with which they were engaged in traffic. But I think it most probable that he alludes to Italy and Spain. It is certain that he had formed the design of visiting Spain Rom 15:24, Rom 15:28; and he doubtless wished the Corinthians to aid him in that purpose, and was anxious to do this as soon as the condition of the eastern churches would allow it.
And not to boast in another man’ s line of things ... - Margin, "Rule,"the same word (

Barnes: 2Co 10:17 - -- But he that glorieth - He that boasts. Whatever may be the occasion of his boasting, whether in planting churches or in watering them; whether ...
But he that glorieth - He that boasts. Whatever may be the occasion of his boasting, whether in planting churches or in watering them; whether in his purposes, plans, toils, or success. Paul himself did not deem it improper on some occasions to boast 2Co 11:16; 2Co 12:5, but it was not of his own power, attainments, or righteousness. He was disposed to trace all to the Lord, and to regard him as the source of all blessing and all success.
Let him glory in the Lord - In this serious and weighty admonition, Paul designs, doubtless, to express the manner in which he was accustomed to glory, and to furnish an admonition to the Corinthians. In the previous part of the chapter there had been some severe irony. He closes the chapter with the utmost seriousness and solemnity of manner, in order to show on his part that he was not disposed to glory in his own attainments and to admonish them not to boast of theirs. If they had anything valuable they should regard the Lord as the author of it. In this admonition it is probable that Paul had in his eye the passage in Jer 9:23-24; though he has not expressly quoted it. "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth."The sentiment is a favorite one with Paul, as it should be with all Christians; see the note on 1Co 1:31. On this verse we may here remark:
I. That nothing is more common than for people to boast or glory. Little as they really have in which to glory, yet there is no one probably who has not something of which he is proud, and of which he is disposed to boast. It would be difficult or impossible to find a person who had not something on which he prided himself; something in which he esteemed himself superior to others.
II. The things of which they boast are very various:
\tx720 \tx1080 (1) Many are proud of their personal beauty; many, too, who would be unwilling to be thought proud of it.
(2)\caps1 m\caps0 any glory in their accomplishments; or, what is more likely, in the accomplishments of their children.
(3)\caps1 m\caps0 any glory in their talents; talents for anything, valuable or not, in which they suppose they surpass others. They glory in their talent for eloquence, or science, or gaining knowledge; or in their talent for gaining property or keeping it: for their skill in their professions or callings; for their ability to run, to leap, or to practice even any trick or sleight of hand. There is nothing so worthless that it does not constitute a subject of glorying, provided it be ours. If it belong to others it may be valueless.
(4)\caps1 m\caps0 any glory in their property; in fine houses, extended plantations, or in the reputation of being rich; or in gorgeous dress, equipage, and furniture. In short, there is nothing which people possess in which they are not prone to glory. Forgetful of God the giver; forgetful that all may be soon taken from them. or that they soon must leave all; forgetful that none of these things can constitute a distinction in the grave or beyond, they boast as if these things were to remain forever, and as if they had been acquired independently of God. How prone is the man of talents to forget that God has given him his intellect, and that for its proper use he must give account! How prone is the rich man to forget that he must die! How prone the frivolous and the beautiful to forget that they will lie undistinguished in the grave; and that death will consume them as soon as the most vile and worthless of the species!
III. If we glory it should be in the Lord. We should ascribe our talents, wealth, health, strength, and salvation to him. We should rejoice:
\tx720 \tx1080 (1) That we have such a Lord, so glorious, so full of mercy, so powerful, so worthy of confidence and love.
(2) We should rejoice in our endowments and possessions as his gift. We should rejoice that we may come and lay everything at his feet, and whatever may be our rank, or talents, or learning, we should rejoice that we may come with the humblest child of poverty, and sorrow, and want, and say, "Not unto us, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy and for thy truth’ s sake;"Ps. 115: i; see the note on 1Co 1:31.

Barnes: 2Co 10:18 - -- For not he that commendeth himself ... - Not he who boasts of his talents and endowments. He is not to be judged by the estimate which he shall...
For not he that commendeth himself ... - Not he who boasts of his talents and endowments. He is not to be judged by the estimate which he shall place on himself, but by the estimate which God shall form and express.
Is approved - By God. It is no evidence that we shall be saved that we are prone to commend ourselves; see Rom 16:10.
But whom the Lord commendeth - see the note on Rom 2:29. The idea here is, that people are to be approved or rejected by God. He is to pass judgment on them, and that judgment is to be in accordance with his estimate of their character, and not according to their own. If he approves them they will be saved; if he does not, vain will be all their empty boasting; vain all their reliance on their wealth, eloquence. learning, or earthly honors. None will save them from condemnation; not all these things can purchase for them eternal life. Paul thus seriously shows that we should be mainly anxious to obtain the divine favor. It should be the grand aim and purpose of our life; and we should repress all disposition for vain - glory or self-confidence; all reliance on our talents, attainments, or accomplishments for salvation. our boast is that we have such a redeemer: and in that we all may glory!
Remarks
1. We should have no desire to show off any special boldness or energy of character which we may have; 2Co 10:1-2. We should greatly prefer to evince the gentleness and meekness of Christ. Such a character is in itself of far more value than one that is merely energetic and bold; that is rash, authoritative, and fond of display.
2. They who are officers in the church should have no desire to administer discipline; 2Co 10:2. Some people are so fond of power that they always love to exercise it. They are willing to show it even by inflicting punishment on others; and "dressed in a little brief authority"they are constantly seeking occasion to show their consequence; they magnify trifles; they are unwilling to pass by the slightest offences. The reason is not that they love the truth, but that they love their own consequence, and they seek every opportunity to show it.
3. All Christians and all Christian ministers are engaged in a warfare; 2Co 10:3. They are at war with sin in their own hearts, and with sin wherever it exists on earth, and with the powers of darkness. With foes so numerous and so vigilant, they should not expect to live a life of ease or quietness. Peace, perfect peace, they may expect in heaven, not on earth. Here they are to fight the good fight of faith and thus to lay held on eternal life. It has been the common lot of all the children of God to maintain such a war, and shall we expect to be exempt?
"Shall I be carried to the skies.
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?
"Are there no foes for me to face,
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?"
4. The weapons of the Christian are not to be carnal, but are to be spiritual; 2Co 10:4. He is not to make his way by the exhibition of human passion; in bloody strife; and by acting under the influence of ambitious feelings. Truth is his weapon; and armed with truth, and aided by the Spirit of God, he is to expect the victory. How different is the Christian warfare from others! How different is Christianity from other systems! Muhammed made his way by arms, and propagated his religion amidst the din of battle. But not so with Christianity. That is to make its way by the silent, but mighty operation of truth; and there is not a rampart of idolatry and sin that is not yet to fall before it.
5. The Christian should be a man of a pure spirit; 2Co 10:4. He is to make his way by the truth. He should therefore love the truth, and he should seek to diffuse it as far as possible. In propagating or defending it, he should be always mild, gentle, and kind. Truth is never advanced, and an adversary is never convinced, where passion is evinced; where there is a haughty manner or a belligerent spirit. The apostolic precepts are full of "wisdom,""speaking the truth in love"Eph 4:15), "in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves: if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;"2Ti 2:25.
6. In his warfare the Christian shall conquer; 2Co 10:4-5. Against the truth of Christianity nothing has been able to stand. It made its way against the arrayed opposition of priests and emperors; against customs and laws; against inveterate habits and opinions; against all forms of sin, until it triumphed, and "the banners of the faith floated from the palaces of the Caesars."So it will be in all the conflicts with evil. Nothing is more certain than that the powers of darkness in this world are destined to fall before the power of Christian truth, and that every stronghold of sin shall yet be demolished. So it is in the conflicts of the individual Christian. He may struggle long and hard. He may have many foes to contend with. But he shall gain the victory. His triumph shall be secure; and he shall yet be enabled to say, "I have fought a good fight - henceforth there is laid up for me a crown."
"The saints in all this glorious war.
Shall conquer though they die;
They see the triumph from afar,
And seize it with their eye."
7. Yet all should feel their dependence on God; 2Co 10:4. It is only through him and by his aid that we have any power. Truth itself has no power except as it is attended and directed by God; and we should engage in our conflict feeling that none but God can give us the victory. If forsaken by him, we shall fall; if supported by him, we may face without fear a "frowning world,"and all the powers of the "dark world of hell."
8. We should not judge by the outward appearance; 2Co 10:7. It is the heart that determines the character; and by that God shall judge us, and by that we should judge ourselves.
9. We should aim to extend the gospel as far as possible; 2Co 10:14-16. Paul aimed to go beyond the regions where the gospel had been preached, and to extend it to far distant lands. So the "field"still "is the world."A large portion of the earth is yet unevangelized. Instead, therefore, of sitting down quietly in enjoyment and ease, let us, like him, earnestly desire to extend the influence of pure religion, and to bring distant nations to the saving knowledge of the truth.
10. Let us not boast in ourselves; 2Co 10:17. Not of our talents, wealth, learning, or accomplishments let us glory. But let us glory that we have such a God as Yahweh. Let us glory that we have such a Redeemer as Jesus Christ. Let us glory that we have such a sanctifier as the Holy Spirit. Let us acknowledge God as the source of all our blessings, and to him let us honestly consecrate our hearts and our lives.
11. What a reverse of judgment there will yet be on human character! 2Co 10:17-18. How many now commend themselves who will be condemned in the last day. How many people boast of their talents and morals, and even their religion, who will then be involved in indiscriminate condemnation with the most vile and worthless of the race. How anxious should we be, therefore, to secure the approbation of God; and whatever our fellow-men may say of us, how infinitely desirable is it to be commended then by our heavenly Father.
Poole: 2Co 10:16 - -- To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you the apostle here expoundeth what he meaneth by the term magnified, or enlarged, in the preceding ve...
To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you the apostle here expoundeth what he meaneth by the term magnified, or enlarged, in the preceding verse, viz. to have a door opened to preach the gospel in places whither it was not yet come. God honoureth persons when he maketh them instruments to bring any to an acquaintance with, and to the embracing of, his gospel, who formerly had been ignorant of it, and not acquainted with it.
And not to boast in another man’ s line of things made ready to our hand: he here seemeth to reflect on the false teachers crept into this church, who had nothing to boast in but a pretended building, upon other men’ s foundations, and carrying on a work by others made ready to their hands; and seemeth to prefer the work of conversion, and an instrumentality in that, before an instrumentality merely in edification, and carrying on the work of God already begun in people’ s souls.

Poole: 2Co 10:17 - -- But we have none of us any thing to glory in, neither I Paul who plant, nor Apollos who watereth; whether God maketh use of us as the first planters...
But we have none of us any thing to glory in, neither I Paul who plant, nor Apollos who watereth; whether God maketh use of us as the first planters of the gospel, or as instruments to carry on the work of the gospel already planted, we have nothing of our own to glory in.
God giveth the increase we have therefore no reason to glory in ourselves, or in our own performances, but only to give thanks to God, who maketh use of us, poor earthly vessels, to carry about and distribute that heavenly treasure, by which he maketh souls rich in faith and good works: all that we do is only instrumentally; God is all, and in all, as to primary efficiency.

Poole: 2Co 10:18 - -- Solomon saith, Pro 27:2 : Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. Self-commendation is an ungrat...
Solomon saith, Pro 27:2 : Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. Self-commendation is an ungrateful sound to ingenuous ears; no man thinks another a jot the better for his commending himself, but always hath the worse opinion of him for such boasting; but this text speaketh of a higher approbation, viz. from God. No man is approved of God for his speaking well of himself; the business is, who they are who approve themselves in the work which God hath committed to them; to whom the Lord will say: Well done, good and faithful servants: to whom the apostle refers both himself, and those who magnified themselves, but vilified him.
Haydock -> 2Co 10:16
Haydock: 2Co 10:16 - -- The words, measure, rule, &c. signify through the whole of this chapter a share, or an allotment of any place to cultivate. St. Paul never gloried li...
The words, measure, rule, &c. signify through the whole of this chapter a share, or an allotment of any place to cultivate. St. Paul never gloried like the persons whom he is here blaming, that he entered into other men's labours. But still neither those persons who have come to you, nor we who first preached the gospel to you, have any right to glory, except in God alone. (Calmet) ---
We still hope, that your faith every day increasing, we shall be able to extend our measure much further, and carry the gospel to nations far beyond you, without interfering with any other, by glorying of having built on what they had already prepared. (Bible de Vence)
Gill: 2Co 10:16 - -- To preach the Gospel in the regions beyond you,.... Here the apostle clearly expresses what he hoped for, and explains what he meant by being enlarged...
To preach the Gospel in the regions beyond you,.... Here the apostle clearly expresses what he hoped for, and explains what he meant by being enlarged according to rule; namely, that he should be at liberty to preach the Gospel elsewhere; and hoped he should be directed by the providence of God, to carry it into the more remote and distant parts of the world, where as yet Christ had not been named:
and not to boast in another man's line: or enter into another man's province, glory in other men's labours, as did the false apostles: and boast
of things made ready to our hand; that is, of places cultivated and improved, by the preaching of the Gospel, so as to bring forth fruit to the honour and glory of God; where many souls were already converted, and churches were planted and put into good order, and were in a flourishing condition; see Rom 15:18.

Gill: 2Co 10:17 - -- But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. Not in himself, nor in his outward circumstances of life, or inward endowments of mind; not in his na...
But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. Not in himself, nor in his outward circumstances of life, or inward endowments of mind; not in his natural or acquired parts; not in his wisdom, knowledge, learning, and eloquence; nor in his own righteousness, labours, and services, much less in other men's labours; nor in his own sense of himself; nor in the opinion and popular applause of others; but in the Lord Jesus Christ, as the author and donor of all gifts, natural and spiritual; in his wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; and in his judgment and approbation of men and things, which sense the following words direct unto.

Gill: 2Co 10:18 - -- For not he that commendeth himself is approved,.... Such may be said to commend themselves, who ascribe that to themselves, which do not belong to the...
For not he that commendeth himself is approved,.... Such may be said to commend themselves, who ascribe that to themselves, which do not belong to them; as that they are the ministers of Christ, and sent forth by him, when they are not; who boast that they have large ministerial gifts, when they have none; and of their great service and usefulness, when it is all the produce of other men's labours; and what they have and do, they wholly impute to their own power and industry, and not to the grace and power of God: now such persons are neither approved by God, nor good men; for their own self-commendation stands for nothing, and is so far from being acceptable to God or men, that it must be nauseous and disagreeable; see Pro 27:2.
But whom the Lord commendeth: they are approved by God and men, and they are such whom he highly honours, as he did Paul, by counting them faithful; and putting them into the ministry, by qualifying them for his service, by assisting them in it, and making them abundantly useful for the good of souls, and the glory of his name: by all which he bears a testimony to them, and shows his approbation of them, and at last will say, well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
Geneva Bible: 2Co 10:16 To preach the gospel in the [regions] beyond you, [and] not to boast in ( n ) another man's line of things made ready to our hand.
( n ) In countries...

Geneva Bible: 2Co 10:17 ( 6 ) But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
( 6 ) He somewhat moderates that which he spoke of himself, and in so doing also prepares the ...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> 2Co 10:1-18
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
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
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
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
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 10:16 - --so as to preach the gospel even unto the parts beyond you, and not to glory in another's province in regard of things ready to our hand . [Though God ...

McGarvey: 2Co 10:17 - --But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord . [Paul here gives the rule of boasting as condensed from Jer 9:23-24 . Paul's enemies had not observe...
