God’s Word Translation
2 Corinthians 10:12
12We wouldn’t put ourselves in the same class with or compare ourselves to those who are bold enough to make their own recommendations. Certainly, when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves to themselves, they show how foolish they are.
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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)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.
- 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.
Context of 2 Corinthians 10:12
10I know that someone is saying that my letters are powerful and strong, but that I’m a weakling and a terrible speaker. 11The person who is saying those things should take note of this fact: When we are with you we will do the things that we wrote about in our letters when we weren’t with you. We wouldn’t put ourselves in the same class with or compare ourselves to those who are bold enough to make their own recommendations. Certainly, when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves to themselves, they show how foolish they are. 13How can we brag about things that no one can evaluate? Instead, we will only brag about what God has given us to do—coming to ⌞the city of Corinth⌟ where you live. 14It’s not as though we hadn’t already been to Corinth. We’re not overstating the facts. The fact is that we were the first to arrive in Corinth with the Good News about 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 3:1Do we have to show you our qualifications again? Do we, like some people, need letters that recommend us to you or letters from you that recommend us to others?
- 2 Corinthians 5:12We are not trying to show you our qualifications again, but we are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us. Then you can answer those who are proud of their appearance rather than their character.
- Job 12:2“You certainly are ⌞wise⌟ people, and when you die, wisdom will die.
- Proverbs 25:27Eating too much honey is not good, and searching for honor is not honorable.
- Proverbs 27:2Praise should come from another person and not from your own mouth, from a stranger and not from your own lips.
- Luke 18:11The Pharisee stood up and prayed, ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like other people! I’m not a robber or a dishonest person. I haven’t committed adultery. I’m not even like this tax collector.
- Romans 15:18I’m bold enough to tell you only what Christ has done through me to bring people who are not Jewish to obedience. By what I have said and done,
- Proverbs 26:12Have you met a person who thinks he is wise? 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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