2 Corinthians 10:18

2 Corinthians 10:18 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
• New International Version (NIV)For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

Context of 2 Corinthians 10:18

16so that we may preach the gospel to the regions beyond you without boasting about what has already been done in someone else’s area of ministry. 17So let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one the Lord commends.

2 Corinthians 10:18 word by word

οὐ γὰρ ὁ ἑαυτὸν συνιστάνων, ἐκεῖνός ἐστιν δόκιμος, ἀλλ᾽ ὃν ὁ κύριος συνίστησιν.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• notοὐou · noG3756
• he thatἐκεῖνοςekeinos · thatG1565
• commendethσυνίστημι, συνιστάωsunistaō sunistanō sunistēmi · to commendG4921
• himselfἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• approvedδόκιμοςdokimos · testedG1384
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• whomὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 10:18

• 2 Corinthians 10:12For 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.
• 2 Corinthians 3:1Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some, letters of recommendation to you or from you?
• 2 Corinthians 5:12We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in outward appearance rather than in the heart.
• Proverbs 21:2All a person’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs hearts.
• Proverbs 27:2Let another praise you, and not your own mouth — a stranger, and not your own lips.
• Luke 16:15And he told them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly admired by people is revolting in God’s sight.
• Luke 18:10“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
• 2 Corinthians 6:4Instead, as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardships, by difficulties,
• 2 Corinthians 13:7But we pray to God that you do nothing wrong — not that we may appear to pass the test, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear to fail.
• Acts 2:22“Fellow Israelites, listen to these words: This Jesus of Nazareth was a man attested to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through him, just as you yourselves know.
• Romans 14:18Whoever serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and receives human approval.
• Romans 16:10Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.
• 1 Corinthians 11:19Indeed, it is necessary that there be factions among you, so that those who are approved may be recognized among you.
• 2 Timothy 2:15Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.
• Matthew 25:20The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I’ve earned five more talents.’
• John 5:42but I know you — that you have no love for God within you.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 10:18

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18Not he that commendeth himself - Not the person who makes a parade of his own attainments; who preaches himself, and not Christ Jesus the Lord; and, far from being your servant for Christ's sake, affects to be your ruler; not such a one shall be approved of God, by an especial blessing on his labors; but he whom the Lord commendeth, by giving him the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit, and converting the heathen by his ministry. These were…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18For not he that commendeth himself … - Not he who boasts of his talents and endowments. He is not to be judged by the estimate which he shall place on himself, but by the estimate which God shall form and express. Is approved - By God. It is no evidence that we shall be saved that we are prone to commend ourselves; see Romans 16:10. But whom the Lord commendeth - see the note on Romans 2:29. The idea here is, that people are to be approved or rejected by…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-18Verses 12-18 If we would compare ourselves with others who excel us, this would be a good method to keep us humble. The apostle fixes a good rule for his conduct; namely, not to boast of things without his measure, which was the measure God had distributed to him. There is not a more fruitful source of error, than to judge of persons and opinions by our own prejudices. How common is it for persons to judge of their own religious character, by the opinions…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17-18Paul quotes Jeremiah 9:24 to show that the Lord guides all missionaries. Boasting does not matter much. Success only matters when the Lord praises our service.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. (Pr 27:2). whom the Lord commendeth--to whom the Lord has given as His "Epistle of commendation," the believers whom he has been the instrument of converting: as was Paul's case (2Co 3:1-3). is approved--can stand the test of the final trial. A metaphor from testing metals (Ro 16:10; 1Co 11:19). So on the other hand those finally rejected by the Lord are termed "reprobate silver" (Jr 6:30).Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 10:18

• Boasting
• God
• Pride
• Self-Exaltation
• Self-Righteousness

In the dictionaries

• Approved
• Beseech
• Captivity
• Measure
• Walk
• Warfare
• Weapon
• Commend
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Galatians, Epistle to the

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 10

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings