2 Corinthians 10 13

2 Corinthians 10:13 kjv

But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

2 Corinthians 10:13 nkjv

We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us?a sphere which especially includes you.

2 Corinthians 10:13 niv

We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you.

2 Corinthians 10:13 esv

But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you.

2 Corinthians 10:13 nlt

We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you.

2 Corinthians 10 verses

2 Corinthians 10 13 Meaning

In 2 Corinthians 10:13, Paul articulates his principle of boasting within divinely appointed boundaries, contrasting his legitimate ministry with that of false teachers. He asserts that he will not boast "beyond measure" but only "within the measure of the sphere" that God has specifically allotted to him. This God-given sphere defines his area of ministry and authority, extending rightfully to the Corinthians whom he evangelized, thereby justifying his presence and spiritual claim over them.

2 Corinthians 10 13 Context

Chapter 10 of 2 Corinthians finds Paul vigorously defending his apostolic authority and integrity against accusations from rival teachers in Corinth, often referred to as "super-apostles" or false apostles. These opponents challenged Paul's leadership, his physical appearance (criticizing him as unimpressive), and his rhetorical style (claiming he was a poor speaker in person compared to his letters). They likely boasted extensively about their own achievements and perhaps encroached on areas already evangelized by others.

Paul responds by emphasizing that his "weapons are not of the flesh but have divine power" (v. 4) and that true spiritual authority is about building up, not tearing down (v. 8). He directly addresses the issue of boasting by highlighting the self-serving, invalid nature of their self-commendation (v. 12). Verse 13 is a direct contrast to these boastful rivals: Paul establishes a crucial boundary, stating that his boasting is confined to the ministry entrusted to him by God, which rightly includes the Corinthians as they were converted through his labor. This sets the stage for him to explain why he has authority in Corinth – it is part of his God-assigned field of labor.

2 Corinthians 10 13 Word analysis

• But we will not boast beyond measure (ἡμεῖς δὲ οὐκ εἰς τὰ ἄμετρα καυχησόμεθα):

  • ἡμεῖς (hēmeis) – "we": Emphatic first-person plural, indicating Paul and his team, standing in contrast to the opponents.
  • δὲ (de) – "but": A mild conjunction indicating a contrast.
  • οὐκ (ouk) – "not": Simple negation.
  • εἰς τὰ ἄμετρα (eis ta ametra) – "beyond measure" / "into the unmeasured things":
    • ἄμετρα (ametra): Formed from 'a-' (negation) and 'μέτρον' (metron, measure). Signifies something without measure, immoderate, excessive, boundless. Paul here rejects boasting that exceeds proper limits or divinely appointed boundaries.
    • Significance: It highlights the arrogance and lack of constraint of his opponents, who intruded upon his established field of labor, whereas Paul carefully confines himself to his legitimate, God-defined ministry. This sets up the idea of a spiritual 'measuring line.'
  • καυχησόμεθα (kauchēsometha) – "will boast": Future tense of καυχάομαι (kauchaomai), "to boast, glory." Used frequently by Paul, often to condemn self-boasting and to uphold boasting "in the Lord."

• but within the measure of the sphere which God allotted to us as a measure (ἀλλὰ κατὰ τὸ μέτρον τοῦ κανόνος οὗ ἐμέρισεν ἡμῖν ὁ Θεὸς μέτρου):

  • ἀλλὰ (alla) – "but": A strong adversative, introducing a stark contrast to the previous negative statement.
  • κατὰ τὸ μέτρον (kata to metron) – "according to the measure" / "within the measure":
    • μέτρον (metron): Means "a measure," "proportion," "standard." This re-emphasizes the concept of defined limits.
  • τοῦ κανόνος (tou kanonos) – "of the sphere" / "of the rule" / "of the measuring line":
    • κανών (kanōn): Originally a "straight rod, ruler, standard." Metaphorically, it came to mean a rule, a fixed boundary, a sphere of action, a defined territory, or even a particular tradition/standard of doctrine (cf. Gal 6:16). Here, it specifically denotes the allotted geographic and functional sphere of ministry God had marked out for Paul.
    • Significance: This term is critical. It refers to the specific "line" or "boundary" that God Himself had drawn for Paul's mission. It's not a human designation but a divine assignment, a clear field of labor given to Paul for the Gospel.
  • οὗ (hou) – "which": A relative pronoun referring back to "the sphere" (κανόνος).
  • ἐμέρισεν (emerisen) – "God allotted" / "He divided" / "He apportioned":
    • Aorist indicative of μερίζω (merizō), meaning "to divide," "to share," "to distribute."
    • Significance: The active subject is "ὁ Θεὸς" (ho Theos - God). This directly attributes the distribution and demarcation of Paul's missionary field to God's sovereign will. Paul's authority in Corinth is not self-appointed or self-sought, but divinely mandated.
  • ἡμῖν (hēmin) – "to us": Again referring to Paul and his ministry team.
  • ὁ Θεὸς (ho Theos) – "God": The divine agent behind the apportionment of the sphere.
  • μέτρου (metrou) – "of measure": Repetition of the concept of "measure," here in the genitive, reinforcing the idea of a fixed and allocated dimension for the "kánōn." This phrase specifies that God allotted the κανών as a measure for their work.

• to reach even to you (ἄχρι καὶ ὑμῶν):

  • ἄχρι (achri) – "as far as" / "even to": Indicates the extent or limit.
  • καὶ (kai) – "even": Emphasizes that this sphere explicitly included the Corinthians.
  • ὑμῶν (hymōn) – "you" (plural): Refers directly to the Corinthian believers, demonstrating that their community fell legitimately within the boundaries of Paul's God-given missionary assignment.
    • Significance: This is Paul's explicit defense of his presence and authority in Corinth. The fact that the Gospel first came to them through his ministry is proof that they are within his God-allotted sphere, making his spiritual claims over them legitimate, unlike those of the encroaching false apostles.

2 Corinthians 10 13 Bonus section

The Greek word for "sphere," kanōn (κανών), offers a rich layer of understanding. While often translated as "rule," "standard," or "boundary," here its most apt rendering is "measuring line" or "assigned territory." In antiquity, a kanōn was literally a straight rod used by builders to ensure straightness and measure distances. Metaphorically, it served as a standard or a fixed area. Thus, Paul views his ministry not as a random, boundless endeavor but as a carefully measured and marked-out "plot" or "field" of labor assigned by God. To boast "beyond measure" (ἄμετρα) would be akin to stepping outside this divine measuring line into territory God had not appointed him. This is not just a spatial concept; it encompasses the spiritual and functional scope of one's ministry and calling. It emphasizes the concept of stewardship and accountability—ministers are accountable to God for the specific measure He has given, not for everything under the sun or for tasks He assigned to others.

2 Corinthians 10 13 Commentary

In 2 Corinthians 10:13, Paul defines legitimate boasting as an exercise contained within divinely ordained parameters. This verse is a cornerstone of Paul's defense against rival teachers who boasted immoderately and about others' work. Paul rejects boasting "beyond measure," which implies claiming credit for achievements outside his God-appointed calling. Instead, he limits his boasting to "the measure of the sphere" (κανών), an intensely significant term referring to the specific, measurable missionary territory God Himself "allotted" (ἐμέρισεν) to him. This highlights that ministry boundaries are not self-determined but are a sovereign act of God.

By asserting that this God-given "sphere" extends "even to you" (the Corinthians), Paul unequivocally states that his foundational work among them falls directly within his divine commission. He is not trespassing on another's established ministry; rather, his ministry led to their conversion, affirming his unique spiritual paternity and legitimate authority over the Corinthian church. This verse calls believers and ministers to recognize and respect their individual divine assignments, boasting only in what God enables and accomplishes through their specific gifts and areas of labor, rather than encroaching on others' work or engaging in self-promotion. It is a profound call to humility, divine dependence, and respect for spiritual boundaries established by the Lord of the harvest.