Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

10:12 Paul is speaking ironically: though his opponents say he is "bold" and "strong" in his letters (vv. 1-2, 10), Paul does not dare to join them in their kind of self-recommendation; they are without understanding because their criterion for boasting (one another) is wrong. The opponents recommend each other by comparing their abilities, spiritual gifts, and experiences, all of which are irrelevant for establishing apostolic authority in a church.

10:13-14 In contrast to his opponents, Paul does not boast beyond limits (i.e., beyond the sphere of his apostolic authority, which God himself has established) because his apostolic authority in Corinth (the area of influence God assigned to us) was based on the fact that God had sent Paul to establish the church in Corinth (to reach . . . you). See 1 Cor. 4:15; 2 Cor. 3:1-3.

10:15-16 boast . . . in the labors of others. Paul's opponents boast, but they are intruders who create problems in churches he planted. lands beyond. Paul's aim is to plant churches in areas where Christ has never been preached (see Rom. 10:14-17), but these false teachers try to pervert the gospel in places where it has already been established (another's area).

10:17-18 boast in the Lord. Paul supports his boast as an apostle (vv. 12-16) with his citation of Jer. 9:23-24 (cf. 1 Cor. 1:31). Since all human abilities and attainments are gifts from God, the only true basis for boasting is to "boast in the Lord," i.e., in what the Lord provides, not in one's own presumed accomplishments (on boasting, see note on 2 Cor. 1:12). The Lord commends his people by working in and through their lives (see 3:1; 4:2; 5:12; 6:4; 12:11).