2 Corinthians 10:12

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

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

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 10:12-18

Boasting, wrong and right. I. WRONG BOASTING . 1 . That we excel some others . We are very apt, like some at Corinth, to compare ourselves with certain around us. This is measuring by a false standard, and measuring by a false standard is likely to lead to enormously erroneous results. The question is not whether we excel others, but whether we have attained to the measure for which God created and endowed us. The true measuring rod is not found in the stature, physical mental,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:12

For we dare not make ourselves of the number - We admit that we are not bold enough for that. They had accused him of a lack of boldness and energy when present with them, 2Co 10:1, 2 Corinthians 10:10. Here in a strain of severe but delicate irony, he says he was not bold enough to do things which the had done. He did not dare to do the things which had been done among them. To such boldness of character, present or absent, he could lay no claim.Or compare ourselves ... - I am not bold enough... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 10:11-12

2 Corinthians 10:11-12. Let such a one, whoever he be, think this Reckon upon this as a certain fact; that such as we are in word by letters However weighty and powerful they may be; when we are absent, such The same also; will we be in deed, or action, when we are present Our deeds will fully correspond to our words, and we shall do something to vindicate these pretences, if their speedy repentance do not prevent it. For we dare not, &c. As if he had said, I, whose... read more

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