2 Corinthians 10:12-18 (HCSB)
For we don’t dare classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. But in measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves, they lack understanding. We, however, will not boast beyond measure but according to the measure of the area of ministry that God has assigned to us, which reaches even to you. For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we had not reached you, since we have come to you with the gospel of Christ. We are not bragging beyond measure about other people’s labors. But we have the hope that as your faith increases, our area of ministry will be greatly enlarged, so that we may proclaim the good news to the regions beyond you, not boasting about what has already been done in someone else’s area of ministry. So the one who boasts must boast in the Lord. For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one the Lord commends.
One of the hallmarks of the “super apostles” was their tallies of souls and of achievements and accomplishments. In their zeal to stay on top in their reputation, they we’re sometimes guilty of claiming credit for work done by others, even work that Paul himself had done.
But Paul didn’t need such boasting, especially among the Corinthians. Paul had started the work in that region years before, when there had been no Christian witness in Achaia and Macedonia at all and had begun churches in several cities. The mere existence of Christians in that region were all the testimony of Paul’s work and success that were necessary.
But Paul wasn’t done yet. He could have easily decided to rest on his laurels, pointing to all those Christians and growing Churches, telling himself and others, “I did all that!” as he coasted into retirement. But his vision was larger than that. There were still millions of unreached, lost pagans, not just in Achaia and Macedonia, but all over the empire, who still needed to hear about Jesus. And until they had heard, only death would keep Paul from continuing to preach to push the gospel forward.
Paul’s final point in this section is simply that all boasting in oneself is worthless. Instead, any boasting about accomplishments must be done by boasting about the Lord. Without the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, Paul would have been powerless, helpless, and completely unable to accomplish any of the amazing things he had done. But God had been with him every moment, not only guiding and directing his steps (Acts 16:6-10), but empowering him so that his testimony was consistently accompanied by wonders and miracles that gave his words complete credibility.
Father, Paul clearly gave You all the credit for what he had accomplished, reminding the Corinthians in his first letter that he had not come to them merely with persuasive words, but that he had come with a demonstration of Your power, which validated his testimony and his teachings (1 Corinthians 2:3-5). That power, shown not just in how he lived but in what he could do, was a hallmark of his ministry, something sadly lacking in the “super apostles”. Lord, help me to live a life, not just of words and concepts, even theologically correct words and concepts, but a life of power, Your power working unhindered by any sin or rebellion in my heart, so that whatever I accomplished in my mission for You, You get all the glory. Amen.