2 Corinthians 10 16

2 Corinthians 10:16 kjv

To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.

2 Corinthians 10:16 nkjv

to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's sphere of accomplishment.

2 Corinthians 10:16 niv

so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else's territory.

2 Corinthians 10:16 esv

so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another's area of influence.

2 Corinthians 10:16 nlt

Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else's territory.

2 Corinthians 10 verses

2 Corinthians 10 16 Meaning

2 Corinthians 10:16 articulates the Apostle Paul's missionary aim and ethical principle: to proclaim the gospel in areas yet untouched by the Christian message, and consciously to avoid taking credit for ministry that others have already established or performed within their own divinely assigned spheres of influence. It underscores Paul's commitment to pioneer evangelism and his refusal to build on another person's foundation.

2 Corinthians 10 16 Context

2 Corinthians 10 forms a critical part of Paul's defense of his apostolic authority and ministry. He is responding to opponents in Corinth, likely "super-apostles," who challenged his leadership and character. They likely accused him of being timid in person but bold in his letters (v. 10), and perhaps questioned his financial independence or oratorical skills. In this chapter, Paul shifts from a more gentle appeal to a firm assertion of his spiritual authority and a strong critique of his adversaries' methods. He highlights their reliance on "worldly standards" (v. 2) and their self-promotion.

Verses 13-16 are central to Paul's argument about legitimate apostolic authority and ministry boundaries. He claims his "sphere of influence" (Gk. metron) was divinely assigned, encompassing the Corinthian church as part of his work. His opponents, however, appear to be boasting "beyond their legitimate sphere" (v. 13), possibly even intruding on territories already evangelized by others, including Paul. Verse 16 specifically clarifies Paul's forward-looking mission strategy: his aspiration is not to solidify control over an already evangelized area like Corinth by out-boasting rivals, but to use the Corinthians' growth as a launchpad to preach the Gospel to further, unreached regions. This commitment sharply contrasts with those who boast in or undermine others' established work. Historically, boasting (Gk. kauchēsis) was a common rhetorical practice in Greco-Roman society, and Paul reframes it to center only on the Lord, not human achievements or territorial claims.

2 Corinthians 10 16 Word analysis

• so that (εἰς τὸ - eis to): A purpose clause. Paul states the objective of his previous desire (to expand his sphere to Corinth, v. 15). His expansion into Corinth has a higher purpose beyond Corinth itself.
• we may preach (εὐαγγελίσασθαι - euangelisasthai): A verb meaning "to evangelize," "to proclaim the good news." This highlights Paul's core mission: the active declaration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes verbal communication and heraldry.
• the gospel (τὸ εὐαγγέλιον - to euangelion): The central message of Christ's death, resurrection, and the salvation it offers. This is the constant focus and content of Paul's ministry, distinguishing it from mere human philosophy or self-promotion.
• in regions beyond you (τὰ ὑπερέκεινα ὑμῶν - ta hyperekeina hymōn):
  • ὑπερέκεινα (hyperekeina): Adverb meaning "beyond there," "further." Used here as a substantive referring to "the regions beyond." It speaks of new, unreached territories.
  • ὑμῶν (hymōn): "Of you" or "your." The Corinthians serve as a base, not the end of his mission. His vision extends past them. This signifies Paul's frontier missionary zeal, constantly moving to unevangelized areas.
• and not to boast (καὶ μὴ καυχάσθαι - kai mē kauchasthai):
  • καυχάσθαι (kauchasthai): To boast, to glory, to pride oneself. Paul repeatedly contrasts legitimate boasting (in the Lord, v. 17) with illegitimate, self-aggrandizing boasting (2 Cor 10:12, 18). Here it specifically condemns taking credit for what is not one's own.
• in work already done (εἰς τὰ ἕτοιμα - eis ta hetoima):
  • Literally "into the things that are ready/prepared." It implies labor that has been completed or prepared by others, such as establishing churches or conversions. Paul makes it clear he doesn't desire to claim another's finished labor.
• in another's sphere of influence (ἐν ἀλλοτρίῳ μέτρῳ - en allotriō metrō):
  • ἀλλοτρίῳ (allotriō): Meaning "another's," "foreign," "belonging to someone else."
  • μέτρῳ (metrō): Meaning "measure," "rule," "limit," "sphere of activity." In this context, it refers to the God-allotted field of work, spiritual jurisdiction, or area of ministry. Paul insists on respecting these divine boundaries, contrasting with those who trespass into others' established fields.

Words-group analysis:

• "so that we may preach the gospel in regions beyond you": This phrase defines Paul's forward-looking, expansive missionary vision. He views the church at Corinth not as a terminal point but as a strategic launchpad for the gospel to penetrate new, unreached territories, demonstrating his commitment to the Great Commission's universal scope.
• "and not to boast in work already done in another’s sphere of influence": This directly states Paul's ethical standard for missionary practice. It serves as a strong polemic against his opponents who were potentially boasting in Paul's established work in Corinth or similar scenarios. It champions integrity, respect for fellow laborers, and the rejection of a competitive, credit-grabbing spirit in ministry, advocating for genuine frontier missions.

2 Corinthians 10 16 Bonus section

• The Greek word metron (μέτρῳ) in 2 Corinthians 10 refers not only to a geographical area but also metaphorically to the extent of Paul's God-given spiritual authority and activity. It emphasizes divine appointment and boundaries, countering any idea of self-appointed or humanly defined "spheres."
• Paul’s mission was fundamentally centrifugal – moving outwards from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8), not centripetal, gathering believers to himself.
• The desire to preach in "regions beyond you" shows Paul's unquenchable missionary passion, seeing even significant achievements (like establishing the Corinthian church) as mere stepping stones for even greater gospel expansion. His vision was truly global.
• This verse provides an early, foundational theological framework for respecting "parish boundaries" in a spiritual sense, although it relates primarily to pioneer evangelism rather than merely established ecclesiastical territories.

2 Corinthians 10 16 Commentary

2 Corinthians 10:16 serves as a profound articulation of Paul's mission theology and ethics. It reveals his overarching strategy: rather than simply solidifying his own base or taking credit for established spiritual work, his deepest desire was to be a pioneer evangelist. His aspiration was not to "pastor" existing congregations but to plant churches where Christ had not been named, pushing the geographical and cultural boundaries of the Gospel message. This missionary zeal was not haphazard; it was deeply rooted in his understanding of a "sphere of influence" or "measure" divinely allocated to him. He was willing to be measured by God's allocation, not by human standards or the claims of rivals.

The verse directly confronts the destructive ambition of boasting in another's labors. In a world where honor and status were fiercely contested, Paul rejects such behavior as counter-productive and ungodly. This principle is vital for healthy Christian leadership today: recognizing and respecting the work of others, fostering cooperation, and prioritizing the overall expansion of God's kingdom over individual recognition or territorial disputes. It teaches that true apostolic leadership, like all genuine ministry, seeks the advancement of Christ's name to the unreached, rather than competing for allegiance among those who have already heard.

Practically, this principle encourages:

1. Focus on the unreached: A strong emphasis on frontier missions, whether geographically or culturally.
2. Collaboration, not competition: Ministers and churches should respect each other's fields and collaborate rather than poaching or undermining.
3. Humility in ministry: Recognition that all fruitful work is ultimately God's and that individual workers are simply stewards within their given spheres.