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 as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the domain of another. 17But the one who boasts is to boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself that is approved, but the one whom 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

• commendsσυνίστημι, συνιστάωsunistaō sunistanō sunistēmi · to commendG4921
• himselfἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
• that is approvedδόκιμοςdokimos · testedG1384
• whomὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 10:18

• 2 Corinthians 10:12For we do not presume to rank or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they have no understanding.
• 2 Corinthians 3:1Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you?
• 2 Corinthians 5:12We are not commending ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.
• Proverbs 21:2Every person’s way is right in his own eyes, But the Lord examines the hearts.
• Proverbs 27:2Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.
• Luke 16:15And He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the sight of people, but God knows your hearts; because that which is highly esteemed among people is detestable in the sight of God.
• Luke 18:10“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
• 2 Corinthians 6:4but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in difficulties,
• 2 Corinthians 13:7Now we pray to God that you do nothing wrong; not so that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, though we may appear unapproved.
• Acts 2:22“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a Man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know--
• Romans 14:18For the one who serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and approved by other people.
• Romans 16:10Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.
• 1 Corinthians 11:19For there also have to be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.
• 2 Timothy 2:15Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
• Matthew 25:20The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have earned five more talents.’
• John 5:42but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves.

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