2 Corinthians 10:13 Meaning and Explanation
“But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul boasts only within the limits God assigned him, a sphere of ministry that rightly includes the Corinthians.
What Does 2 Corinthians 10:13 Mean?
Against the boundless self-praise of his rivals, Paul sets a boundary. He will not boast beyond his measure, but stays within the 'rule' -- the field of service -- that God Himself marked out and distributed to him. And that field reaches as far as Corinth.
The word translated 'rule' pictures a measuring line laid out to assign a portion. Paul understands his calling as a gift with God-given limits, not a stage for unlimited ambition. There is freedom in this. He need not claim everything; he need only be faithful where God has placed him. The Corinthians fall within his appointed work, and that is boast enough.
2 Corinthians 10:13 in the Original Language
kanon (κανών), 'rule' -- a measuring rod or marked-out boundary, here the assigned sphere of one's ministry.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Corinthians 10:13
What does 2 Corinthians 10:13 mean?
Paul boasts only within the limits God assigned him, a sphere of ministry that rightly includes the Corinthians.