2 Corinthians 10:12 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul refuses to join those who praise themselves, noting the folly of measuring oneself only against oneself.
What Does 2 Corinthians 10:12 Mean?
Paul turns to the self-promoting teachers troubling Corinth. He will not rank himself among them or play their game of comparison. They commend themselves, taking their own measure as the standard and judging by their own circle.
He calls this folly, and gently so. To measure ourselves only against ourselves is to guarantee a flattering verdict and learn nothing true. The proper measure is God, not the mirror of our own opinion. Paul's refusal to compete in self-praise is itself an act of humility. The wise person seeks not to look better than others, but to be found faithful before the Lord, who alone sees rightly.
2 Corinthians 10:12 in the Original Language
sunkrino (συγκρίνω), 'compare' -- to set side by side for judgment, here the futile weighing of self against self.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Corinthians 10:12
What does 2 Corinthians 10:12 mean?
Paul refuses to join those who praise themselves, noting the folly of measuring oneself only against oneself.