2 Corinthians 3:1

A Living Letter

3:1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? We don’t need letters of recommendation to you or from you as some other people do, do we? ¹ 

2 Corinthians 6:4

6:4 But as God’s servants, ²  we have commended ourselves in every way, ³  with great endurance, in persecutions, ⁴  in difficulties, in distresses,

2 Corinthians 10:8

10:8 For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us ⁵  for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so. ⁶ 

2 Corinthians 10:12

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. ⁷ 

2 Corinthians 10:18

10:18 For it is not the person who commends himself who is approved, but the person the Lord commends.

2 Corinthians 12:11

The Signs of an Apostle

12:11 I have become a fool. You yourselves forced me to do it, for I should have been commended by you. For I lack nothing in comparison ⁸  to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.

Proverbs 27:2

27:2 Let another ⁹  praise you, and not your own mouth; ¹⁰ 

someone else, ¹¹  and not your own lips.

[3:1]  ¹ tn The Greek construction anticipates a negative reply (“No, we do not”) which is indicated in the translation by the ‘tag’ at the end, “do we?”

[6:4]  ² tn Or “ministers.”

[6:4]  ³ tn Or “we have commended ourselves by all things.”

[6:4]  ⁴ tn Or “in trouble and suffering.”

[10:8]  ⁵ tn The word “us” is not in the Greek text but is supplied. Indirect objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context, and must be supplied for the modern English reader.

[10:8]  ⁶ tn Grk “I will not be put to shame,” “I will not be ashamed.” The words “of doing so” are supplied to clarify for the reader that Paul will not be ashamed of boasting somewhat more about the authority the Lord gave him (beginning of v. 8).

[10:12]  ⁷ tn Or “they are unintelligent.”

[12:11]  ⁸ tn Or “I am in no way inferior.”

[27:2]  ⁹ tn Heb “a stranger.” This does not necessarily refer to a non-Israelite, as has been demonstrated before in the book of Proverbs, but these are people outside the familiar and accepted circles. The point is that such a person would be objective in speaking about your abilities and accomplishments.

[27:2]  ¹⁰ sn “Mouth” and “lips” are metonymies of cause; they mean “what is said.” People should try to avoid praising themselves. Self praise can easily become a form of pride, even if it begins with trivial things. It does not establish a reputation; reputation comes from what others think about you.

[27:2]  ¹¹ tn “a foreigner”; KJV, ASV, NASB, NRSV “a stranger.”