English Standard Version
2 Corinthians 10:12
12Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.
2 Corinthians 10:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
- New International Version (NIV)We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!
Context of 2 Corinthians 10:12
10For they say, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account." 11Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present. Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. 13But 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. 14For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 102 Corinthians 10:12 word by word
Οὐ γὰρ τολμῶμεν ἐγκρῖναι ἢ συγκρῖναι ἑαυτούς τισιν τῶν ἑαυτοὺς συνιστανόντων· ἀλλ᾽ αὐτοὶ ἐν ἑαυτοῖς ἑαυτοὺς μετροῦντες καὶ συγκρίνοντες ἑαυτοὺς ἑαυτοῖς οὐ συνιᾶσιν.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Forγάρgar · forG1063
- we dareτολμάωtolmaō · be boldG5111
- notοὐou · noG3756
- make ourselves of the numberἐγκρίνωegkrinō · to classifyG1469
- orἤē · orG2228
- compareσυγκρίνωsugkrinō · to compareG4793
- ourselvesἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
- with someτιςtis · oneG5100
- that commendσυνίστημι, συνιστάωsunistaō sunistanō sunistēmi · to commendG4921
- butἀλλάalla · butG235
- theyαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- measuringμετρέωmetreō · to measureG3354
- byἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- areσυνίημιsuniēmi · to understandG4920
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 10:12
- 2 Corinthians 3:1Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you?
- 2 Corinthians 5:12We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.
- Job 12:2"No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you.
- Proverbs 25:27It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.
- Proverbs 27:2Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
- Luke 18:11The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
- Romans 15:18For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed,
- Proverbs 26:12Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 10:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12We 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…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12For 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, 2 Corinthians 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…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. 12Paul accuses his enemies of having false values because they think too highly of themselves.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. "We do not presume (irony) to judge ourselves among, or in comparison with, some of them that commend themselves." The charge falsely brought against him of commending himself (2Co 3:1; 5:12), really holds good of the false teachers. The phrase, "judge ourselves of the number," is drawn from the testing of athletes and senators, the "approved" being set down on the roll [Wahl]. measuring themselves by themselves--"among themselves": to correspond to…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 10:12
In the dictionaries
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
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