2 Corinthians 10:12
What does 2 Corinthians 10:12 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 10:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 10:12 means
Paul refuses to join the game of comparison with self-promoting teachers who recommend themselves. He says such people lack understanding because they measure by their own standards and compare only with themselves. This circular approval creates an echo chamber of pride. Paul declines that metric. Ministry is not validated by winning a popularity contest or exceeding human benchmarks. True assessment comes from God’s call, God’s Word, and the fruit He produces. By stepping outside the comparison trap, Paul models freedom from envy and rivalry. He invites the church to judge ministry by divine criteria, not by the applause of a closed circle.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with certain of them that commend themselves: but they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with certain of them that commend themselves: but they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For we will not make comparison of ourselves with some of those who say good things about themselves: but these, measuring themselves by themselves, and making comparison of themselves with themselves, are not wise.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862For we do not make bold to rank or to compare ourselves with certain of those commending themselves, but they, among themselves measuring themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are not wise,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For we dare not match or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but we measure ourselves by ourselves and compare ourselves with ourselves.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves; but these, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are not intelligent.
Context
After asserting his consistency in verse 11, Paul addresses the root problem in verse 12: a culture of self-commendation and comparison among certain opponents. This critique prepares for verses 13–16, where he articulates a better standard—boasting only within the limits of the assignment God gave him, which includes Corinth. The flow moves from rejecting human metrics to embracing God-given boundaries, showing how Paul’s humility and clarity of call counteract the corrosive competition in Corinth.
v.11Let such a one reckon this, that, what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present.
v.12This passage
v.13But 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 18:11
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
- Proverbs 26:12
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
- 2 Corinthians 3:1
Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? or need we, as do some, epistles of commendation to you or from you?
- Proverbs 27:2
Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; A stranger, and not thine own lips.
- Romans 15:18
For I will not dare to speak of any things save those which Christ wrought through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,
- 2 Corinthians 10:18
For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
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