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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 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, 2 Cor. 10:12. He plainly intimates that they took a wrong method to commend themselves, in measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, which was not wise. They were pleased, and did pride themselves, in their own attainments, and never considered those who far exceeded them in gifts and graces, in power and authority; and this made them... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:7-18

10:7-18 Look at what lies in front of you. If anyone confidently believes that he belongs to Christ, let him examine his own case again, because, just as he belongs to Christ, so do we also. If I make what might look like excessive claims about our authority--that authority which the Lord gave us to upbuild you and not to destroy you--I will not be put to shame. And I am going to do just that very thing so that I may not seem, as it were, to be striking terror into you through a series of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 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 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 10:13

But we will not boast of things without our measure ,.... Or things unmeasurable; meaning not doctrines, the knowledge of which they had not attained to, and which were not to be measured by reason or revelation, such as the Gnostics boasted of; but the sense is, that they would not glory in, and boast of actions, that were never done by them, within the compass of their ministration, as the false apostles did; who pretended that they had been everywhere, and had preached the Gospel, and had... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 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. Some think this to be an ironical speech. 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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:13

Things without our measure - There is a great deal of difficulty in this and the three following verses, and there is a great diversity among the MSS.; and which is the true reading can scarcely be determined. Our version is perhaps the plainest that can be made of the text. By the measure mentioned here, it seems as if the apostle meant the commission he received from God to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles; a measure or district that extended through all Asia Minor and Greece, down to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:12

Verse 12 12.For we dare not. He says this by way of irony, for afterwards he does not merely compare himself boldly with them, but, deriding their vanity, he leaves them far behind him. Now by this irony he gives a stroke, not merely to those foolish boasters, (772) but also to the Corinthians, who encouraged them in their folly by their misdirected approbation. “I am satisfied,” says he, “with my moderate way; for I would not dare to put myself on a footing with your Apostles, who are the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:13

Verse 13 13.But we will not boast beyond our measure He now contrasts his own moderation with the folly of the false Apostles, (780) and, at the same time, he shows what is the true measure of glorying — when we keep within the limits that have been marked out for us by the Lord. “Has the Lord given me such a thing? I shall be satisfied with this measure. I shall not either desire or claim to myself any thing more.” This he calls the measure of his rule. (781) For every one’s rule, according to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 10:1-18

Plunging at once into his subject, with a solemn appeal, he declares his apostolic power (verses 1-8), and that he will exercise it in person as well as by letters, in answer to the taunt of his opponents (verses 9-11). He then shows that his estimate of himself is formed on very different methods from those of his adversaries (verses 12-16), and that he referred all grounds of boasting solely to the judgment of God (verses 17, 18). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 10:12

We dare not. They are in this respect of self-praise much bolder than I. Make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves; literally, judge ourselves among or judge ourselves with . There is a play on the words, like the Latin, inferre or conferre, or the German, zurechnen oder gleichrechnen . That commend themselves. The verb rendered "commend" is that from which is derived "the commendatory letters" ( 2 Corinthians 3:1 ) at the arrogant and intrusive use of which he... read more

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