Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Corinthians 10:15
Not boasting of things without [our] measure, [that is,] of other men’s labors; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
15. not boasting of things without our measure ] The Apostle now repeats what he has before said in 2Co 10:13, but directs his remarks more pointedly against the false teachers by adding ‘ in other men’s labours.’ For they, as Meyer remarks, were adorning themselves with strange feathers as they intruded themselves into other men’s spheres of work. See also for St Paul’s line of conduct Rom 15:20, Gal 2:9.
when your faith is increased ] Two reasons may be assigned for this reservation; (1) that as we have seen (ch. 2Co 2:12-13), St Paul could not settle himself to any other work while the Corinthian Church was in such an unsatisfactory condition, and (2) that the consistent conduct of one Christian community was an immense help to the first missionaries of the Gospel in founding another. See Tit 2:8; 1Pe 2:12.
enlarged ] The Apostle seems to identify himself with his work as he has before identified himself with the Corinthian Church. See ch. 2Co 3:2, 2Co 7:3. He is enlarged when the Church is enlarged by his means.
by you ] Literally, in or among you. Some connect these words with ‘when your faith is increased,’ i.e. among yourselves.
abundantly ] Literally, unto superabundance.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Not boasting of things without our measure – There is here probably an allusion to the false teachers at Corinth. They had come after Paul had been there, and had entered into his labors. When he had founded the church; when he had endured trials and persecutions in order to reach Corinth; when he had labored there for a year and a half Act 18:11, they came and entered the quiet and easy field, formed parties. and claimed the field as their own. Paul says that he had not courage to do that; see note, 2Co 10:12. That required a species of boldness to which he could lay no claim; and he did not assume honor to himself like that.
That is, of other mens labors – Not intruding into churches which we did not establish, and claiming the right to direct their affairs, and to exclude the founders from all proper honors and all influence, and endeavoring to alienate the affections of Christians from their spiritual father and guide.
But having hope … – So far from this; so far from a desire to enter into the labors of others and quietly enjoying the avails of their industry; and so far even from a desire to sit down ourselves and enjoy the fruit of our own labors, I desire to penetrate other untrodden regions; to encounter new dangers; to go where the gospel has not been planted, and to rear other churches there. I do not, therefore, make these remarks as if I wished even to dispossess the teachers that have entered into my labors. I make them because I wish to be aided by you in extending the gospel further; and I look to your assistance in order that I may have the means of going into the regions where I have not made known the name of the Redeemer.
When your faith is increased – When you become so strong as not to need my presence and my constant care; and when you shall be able to speed me on my way and to aid me on my journey. He expected to be assisted by them in his efforts to carry the gospel to other countries.
That we shall be enlarged – Margin, Magnified by you. Bloomfield supposes that this means. to gain fame and glory by you; that is, as the teacher may justly by his pupils. So Robinson renders it. to make great, to praise. But to me the idea seems to be that he wished them to enlarge or magnify him by introducing him to larger fields of action; by giving him a wider sphere of labor. It was not that he wished to be magnified by obtaining a wider reputation, not as a matter of praise or ambition, but he wished to have his work and success greatly enlarged. This he hoped to be enabled to do partly by the aid of the church at Corinth. When they became able to manage their own affairs; when his time was not demanded to superintend them; when their faith became so strong that his presence was not needed; and when they should assist him in his preparations for travel, then he would enter on his wider field of labor. He had no intention of sitting down in ease as the false teachers in Corinth seem disposed to have done.
According to our rule – Greek, According our canon; see on 2Co 10:13. The sense is, according to the rule by which the sphere of his labors had been marked out. His rule was to carry the gospel as far as possible to the pagan world. He regarded the regions lying far beyond Corinth as coming properly within his limits; and he desired to occupy that field.
Abundantly – Greek, Unto abundance. So as to abound; that is, to occupy the field assigned as far as possible.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 15. Not boasting of things without our measure] We speak only of the work which God has done by us; for we have never attempted to enter into other men’s labours, and we study to convert those regions assigned to us by the Holy Spirit. We enter the course lawfully, and run according to rule. See above.
When your faith is increased] When you receive more of the life and power of godliness, and when you can better spare me to go to other places.
We shall be enlarged by you] probably signifies here to be praised or commended; and the sense would be this; We hope that shortly, on your gaining an increase of true religion, after your long distractions and divisions, you will plainly see that we are the true messengers of God to you, and that in all your intercourse with your neighbours, or foreign parts, you will speak of this Gospel preached by us as a glorious system of saving truth; and that, in consequence, the heathen countries around you will be the better prepared to receive our message; and thus our rule or district will be abundantly extended. This interpretation agrees well with the following verse.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
So that although we have boasted of you, we have not boasted
of things without our measure; that is, of things that are not, or (as the apostle expounds himself) of things that were not done by him but by other men; for his line did reach unto them, and his labours had been employed and made successful amongst them. And he declares his hope, that when the gospel should have had its full success amongst them, and their
faith should be increased, ( either by the addition of more persons to the church amongst them, or by the perfecting of their faith, and other graces), they, who were apostles and the ministers of the gospel to them, should by it be magnified, or made great; to wit, by their means, who using much navigation, would have opportunities to comment the gospel, and the ministry of it, to other people, amongst whom they should come: wherein yet they should not exceed their rule; for though ordinary ministers be fixed in particular churches and places, yet the apostles rule was to go and preach the gospel over the whole world, being tied to no certain people or places.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
15. “Not boasting tounmeasured bounds (that is, not exceeding our own bounds by boasting)of (literally, ‘in’) other men’s labors.”
when“As yourfaith goes on increasing.” The cause of his not yet reachingwith the Gospel the regions beyond Corinth, was the weakness as yetof their faith. He desired not to leave the Corinthians before theproper time, and yet not to put off preaching to others too long.
enlarged by youGreek,“in your case.” Our success in your case will give us animportant step towards further progress beyond you (2Co10:16).
according to ourruleaccording to our divinely assigned apportionment of thearea or sphere of our work; for “we stretch not ourselves beyondour measure” (2Co 10:14).
abundantlyGreek,“unto exceeding abundance”: so as to exceed the limits wehave yet reached (2Co 10:16).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Not boasting of things without our measure,…. The apostle here asserts what he had done before, 2Co 10:13 with a view to explain it, as he does, saying,
that is of other men’s labours; when they boasted of the Corinthians as their converts and children, whom they had begotten through the Gospel of Christ, they did not boast of other men’s labours, as did the false apostles; who when they came to Corinth, found a church already planted by the apostle, and a multitude of believers, of whose conversion and faith he had been an instrument; and yet these men claimed them as their own, and an authority over them, when they were the fruit of the apostle’s labours:
but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly; the sense is, that the apostle hoped, for he could not be sure, this lying in the secret will of God, that when the faith of the Corinthians was grown stronger, and more settled and established, and so would not stand in so much need of their care and instruction, they should be enlarged through their means; and that they should not stop here, but that the line, measure, or rule of their ministry, should be drawn to a greater length, and the bounds of it extended and carried abundantly further. The apostle intimates, that the weakness of their faith, and the disorders and divisions that were among them, were a hinderance to the spread of the Gospel; and that if their church state were in a better and a more settled condition, as it would give the apostles more leisure to preach the Gospel elsewhere, so it would serve to recommend it to other places beyond them; which would be an enlargement of the bounds of their ministry, and a means of magnifying of Christ and his Gospel, and of them also.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
In other men’s labours ( ). means belonging to another as in Lu 16:12. Paul founded the church in Corinth.
As your faith groweth ( ). Genitive absolute of the present passive participle of , to grow.
We shall be magnified (). First aorist passive infinitive of , old verb (Lu 1:46) to make great (cf. Php 1:20 of Christ). Indirect discourse after (hope) with the construction of , to hope.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Be enlarged by you – according to our rule abundantly [ – ] . Paul means that, as the faith of the Corinthians increases, he hopes that his apostolic efficiency will increase, so that Corinth shall become the basis of larger efforts, extending into other regions. The verb megalunw also means to praise or celebrate, as Luk 1:46; Act 5:13; Act 10:46, and is so explained by some interpreters here. But this would be inconsistent with the figure, to which Paul adheres. “He who can work far off is a man of great stature, who, without overstretching himself, reaches afar” (Meyer).
According to our rule. His wider labors will still be regulated by God ‘s measuring – line.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Not boasting of things without our measure,” (ouk eis ta ametar kauchomenoi) “not immeasurably or loosely boasting,” not thinking of one’s self more highly than he ought, not exuding fleshly pride, 1Co 10:12; Jas 4:16-17; Rom 1:30; 2Ti 3:2.
2) “That is, of other men’s labours,” (en allotriois kopois) “in labors of others;” Joh 4:36-38; Don’t claim all the credit yourself for seeming success that comes to you, 1Co 3:6-9.
3) “But having hope,” (elpida de echontes) “Yet having or holding hope,” confidence that our labors and seed-sowing shall not be in vain, Psa 126:5-6; Isa 55:11-12.
4) “When your faith is increased,” (auksanomenes tes pisteos humon) “as your faith grows;” is enlarged, Luk 17:5; Psa 115:14; 1Th 4:10.
5) “That we shall be enlarged by you,” (tes pisteos humon en humin meaglunthenai) “as your faith is increased, it is to be magnified among you,” in the way you live and work, Eph 2:10.
6) “According to our rule abundantly,” (kata ton kanona hemon eis perisseian) according to our rule in abundance, or reaching as far West, as unto you again and again, Eph 2:21-22; Eph 4:15; Col 1:10, to make you all “complete” or mature in Him.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
15. In the labors of others. He now reproves more freely the false Apostles, who, while they had put forth their hand in the reaping of another man’s harvest, had the audacity at the same time to revile those, who had prepared a place for them at the expense of sweat and toil. Paul had built up the Church of the Corinthians — not without the greatest struggle, and innumerable difficulties. Those persons afterwards come forward, and find the road made and the gate open. That they may appear persons of consequence, they impudently claim for themselves what did not of right belong to them, and disparage Paul’s labors.
But having hope. He again indirectly reproves the Corinthians, because they had stood in the way of his making greater progress in advancing the gospel. For when he says that he hopes that, when their faith is increased the boundaries of his glowing will be enlarged, he intimates, that the weakness of faith under which they labored was the reason, why his career had been somewhat retarded. “I ought now to have been employed in gaining over new Churches, and that too with your assistance, if you had made as much proficiency as you ought to have done; but now you retard me by your infirmity. I hope, however, that the Lord will grant, that greater progress will be made by you in future, and that in this way the glory of my ministry will be increased according to the rule of the divine calling.” (787) To glory in things that have been prepared is equivalent to glorying in the labors of others; for, while Paul had fought the battle, they enjoyed the triumph. (788)
(787) “ Selon la regle et mesure de la vocation Diuine;” — “According to the rule and measure of the Divine calling.”
(788) “ Car combien que S. Paul eust guerroye, toutesfois les autres triomphoyent; c’est t dire, combien qu’il eust soustenu tout le fais et la peine, les autres en raportoyent la gloire;” — “For although Paul had fought the battle, yet others enjoyed the triumph: that is to say, though he had borne all the burden and trouble, others carried off the glory.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(15) Not boasting of things without our measure . . .The words are not merely defensive. He presses home the charge of intrusion. They, not he, were finding ground for their boasts in other mens labours. The context leads, however, to the conclusion that it was a charge that had been brought against him. They had spoken of him as pushing on from point to point, as with a measureless ambition. Perhaps the fact that he had worked at Antioch, where the gospel had been preached by men of Cyprus and Cyrene (Act. 11:20), at Troas, where it had been preached by St. Luke (see Notes on 2Co. 2:12; Act. 16:8), to the Romans whom he found at Corinth, and who, like Aquila and Priscilla, had been already converted (see Notes on Act. 18:2), were thought to give a colour to the charge that he was boasting in other mens labours.
Having hope, when your faith is increased.The verb is in the present tense, and should be translated, as your faith grows. The words are spoken in the spirit of one
Nil actum reputans si quid superesset agendum
[Who thinks nought done while aught remains to do]
who seeks for fresh provinces to annex to the territory of his king. The growth of their faith will give him fresh courage, perhaps also fresh resources. But what does he mean by his hope that we shall be enlarged according to (or, perhaps, in relation to) our rule? The words seem to imply something more than a mere extension of labours, and suggest the probability that in his journey to Jerusalem, with the large and liberal gifts of the Gentile churches, he had an intention, here half-avowed, to endeavour to modify the terms of the concordat referred to in Gal. 2:9, and to get the sanction of the Church of Jerusalem for his mission work at Rome: though there the gospel had been preached by others, and it was, primarily, at least, one of the Churches of the Circumcision. It will be seen that this supposition explains better than any other the apologetic tone of Rom. 15:20-29. It was his reluctance even to appear to build on another mans foundation that had hitherto kept him from them. He does not intend to appear, when he comes, in the character of the founder of this Church, or even as building the superstructure, but only as a friend, seeking mutual help and counsel. Spain is his goal. He takes Rome as a parenthesis. But he is going to Jerusalem, and he hopes that the difficulty which has hitherto hindered him will be removed.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
15. Without measure Indefinite and unruled.
Other men’s labours Trenching on other missionaries’ ground, and taking an easy time, when there is ample pioneer work to do on untried fields.
Having a hope Kling subtly and truly says, that having a hope is more forcible than hoping. There dwells in the apostle’s heart this constant, permanent hope. A blessed inmate in the human heart is a hope.
Enlarged Our magnitude is now pretty fair; but we hope to grow with your growing faith.
According to our rule In accordance with the divine measuring rule.
Abundantly As his magnifying is not to be merely for himself, but for the gospel, he trusts it may be done abundantly.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Co 10:15-16. Not boasting, &c. That is, “Not intermeddling, or assuming to myself an authority to meddle, or any honour for doing so.” St. Paul here visibly taxes the false Apostle for coming into a church converted and gathered by another, and there pretending to be somebody, and to rule all. This, among several other passages, shews, that the opposition made to St. Paul was owing chiefly to one man, who had placed himself at the head of the faction; for it is plain that it was a stranger, who came thither after St. Paul had planted this church; who pretending to be more an Apostle than St. Paul, with greater illumination and more power, set upagainst him, to govern that church, and withdraw the Corinthians from following the rules and doctrines of St. Paul and the Gospel. Now it can never he supposed to be a combination of men, who came to Corinth with that design; nor that they were different men, who came thither separately, each setting up for himself; for then they would have fallen out one with another, as well as with St. Paul; and in both cases he must have spoken of them in a different way from what he does now. In 1Co 3:10 he plainly speaks of one man. Instead ofmeasure, that is, of other men’s labours, 2Co 10:15 some read, measure in other men’s labours; and instead of another man’s line, 2Co 10:16 another man’s rule or province. It is certain, the Apostle did go to places already converted, to confirm and establish his brethren in the faith; but this was chiefly where he had himself planted churches: though he mighttake some others in his way, which it would have been affectation and disrespect, rather than modesty, to have avoided. But he did not speak of churches thus visited, as if he were the founder of them, as his opposers probably did; pouring contempt on St. Paul’s labours, as if they were hardly to be called Christian churches, which he had left, as they pretended, in so unformed and unfinished a state.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Co 10:15 . As . is evidently intended to resume the . in 2Co 10:13 , and as 2Co 10:14 is merely a confirmatory statement occasioned by . , it is most natural and logically most suitable, with Lachmann, Osiander, Ewald, to place the whole of 2Co 10:14 in a parenthesis (not the second half of the verse merely, as is done by Griesbach, Scholz, de Wette, Hofmann), so that depends on the to be supplied in the second clause of 2Co 10:13 , not on . (de Wette, Hofmann). To attach it, with Rckert (comp. Tischendorf), to is quite unsuitable, because the latter contains an historical remark, only made, moreover, in passing, and thus heterogeneous elements would be combine.
] object of the negatived . With his opponents it was the case that their unmeasured boasting referred to labours which were done by others, but were boasted of by them as their work .
] but having doubtless hope, when your faith increases, to become large among you according to our rule abundantly, i.e. but doubtless hoping, with the growth of your faith, to attain among you this , that starting from you we may be able still further abundantly to extend our working according to the measure of our destination. This meaning Paul expresses figuratively, and that with faithful adherence to the figure used in 2Co 10:13-14 . He, namely, who can work far off , is a man of great stature , who without overstretching himself reaches afar; hence . [312] Further: because Paul still thinks of working forth to distances indefinitely remote , he hopes to become large (comp. Pro 21:5 ). Still he knows that this wide working, on which he cherishes the hope of being able to enter, will be in keeping with the line drawn for him by God i.e. the spatial limit divinely appointed for him and thus will be no .; hence , [313] which Beza ought not to have taken for . (comp. 2Co 10:13 ). Further: the possibility of this wider working will not set in, if the faith of the Corinthians does not grow , namely, intensively, by becoming always purer, firmer, and more living than now, because Paul will not sooner be able to leave Corinth and travel onward; hence . , [314] so that thus and what a wholesome impulse ought this to be to them it is the Corinthians themselves, among whom he will see himself brought to the point of being able to extend his working further; hence [315] .: among you to become large in order to further abundant workin.
] for Paul knew that he was destined to preach the gospel among all nations (Rom 1:14-15 , and see on Rom 15:23 ; Rom 15:33 ; Act 19:21 ); hence beyond doubt he had already at that time the intention of proceeding by way of Rome to Spain. Thus in the whole grand feeling of his apostolic destiny finds earnest and true expression. Rckert, on the contrary, sees a touch of irony , as if Paul would say: if the Corinthians would become a church as perfect as he wishes and expects, there will thence accrue a gain also for him; he, too, will then grow with them, and become capable not only of doing in the midst of them what is necessary, but also of doing yet something more, of growing, as it were, beyond the proper stature, etc. But both and are at variance with the character of irony. If Paul had wished to express himself ironically, he would have written possibly or the like, which would have expressed something different from what he properly meant.
[312] . is by most taken as celebrari , which departs from the figure and hence is at variance with the context (Luk 1:46 ; Act 5:13 ; Act 10:46 ; Act 19:17 ; Phi 1:20 ). So Flatt, Billroth, and Ewald: “ to be exceedingly praised , instead of being bitterly blamed,” to which . is not suitable. The whole figure demands the explanation to become large (Mat 23:5 ; Luk 1:58 ), and only thus does it stand in its right relation to, and bearing on, . . . . Theodoret seems to have understood . rightly, since he explains it: . Comp. Luther: “proceed further,” which explains the figurative expression no doubt, but does not translate it. Osiander understands under it an actual glorifying of the office , that its influence, greatness, and glory shall become advanced. Hofmann: that the continuation of the preaching in the far West will make him still greater, whereby he will have still more ground for boasting a view made impossible by the fact that must be joined with . . . . With all such interpretations the bold, concrete figure, which is set forth in ., is in opposition to the connection abandoned according to a subjective standard of taste, as if it were too strong and harsh. Erasmus in his Annot . (not in the Paraphr .) aptly says: “Significat se sperare futurum ut in dies crescente fide Corinthiorum creseat et ipse et major majorque fiat .”
[313] Rckert, at variance with the context, understands under here the apostle’s rule of not working where others had already wrought. See against this, ver. 13.
[314] Bengel rightly remarks on the present participle: “Paulus Corinthios neque ante tempus omittere voluit, neque alios diutius differre.” Olshausen erroneously thinks that Paul was waiting for the completion of faith among the Corinthians. The apostle rather means the proportionate increase of the faith of the readers, which hitherto had not attained such a degree of development as to make it possible for him to withdraw his working from them and extend the sphere of his activity further. This delicate reference of . . . , which appeals to the whole sense of honour in the readers, and according to which Paul makes his further working at a distance depend on their Christian progress, is missed by Hofmann, who explains . . . . merely in the sense of coincidence in time ( while faith grows). This is bound up with his incorrect joining of with . See the following note.
[315] This is not, with Luther, Castalio, Beza, Mosheim, Billroth, de Wette, Hofmann, to be joined to . (whereby either or at any rate, even with the meaning imported into it by Hofmann: “within your own sphere,” would seem very superfluous); nor yet is it to be taken as per vos (Erasmus, Grotius, Flatt), which only impairs the vividness and completeness of the figure, and in substance is already contained in . . . .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
DISCOURSE: 2038
THE FAITHFUL MINISTERS DESIRES
2Co 10:15-16. Having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, to preach the Gospel in the regions beyond you.
THE Apostle Paul was a man of an enlarged heart: he panted for the salvation of the whole world, and to the utmost of his power laboured to promote it. But, in his labours, he was under the direction of his Divine Master, who assigned to him the path in which he was to run. To the course that was prescribed to him he carefully adhered; neither going beside it, to interfere with others; nor going beyond it, as obtruding himself any where without an express commission. In these respects, he differed widely from some who sought to establish themselves on the foundation which he had laid at Corinth, and to subvert his influence in the Church which he had planted. To remedy the evils which had been introduced by them, he meditated another visit to that city; and hoped, after rectifying all abuses there, to proceed to other regions beyond them, for the purpose of diffusing more widely, than he had yet done, the Gospel of Christ. This intention, which he specifies in the words of our text, will lead me to set before you,
I.
The desires of a faithful minister, in reference to any Church which he may have planted
He will desire their growth in every grace
[However numerous his converts may be, no faithful minister will be satisfied, unless they make their profiting to appear. Every believer is enjoined to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ [Note: 2Pe 3:18.]: and it is in that way alone that he can either promote the honour of God, or advance his own happiness Like persons engaged in a race, he must forget what is behind, and reach forward to that which is before; and press towards the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus [Note: Php 3:13-14.]. A mother, however rejoicing over her infant child, would soon cease to rejoice, if she saw no advancement in his stature: and so can no faithful minister find pleasure in his converts, if he see them not gradually advancing in the divine life, and growing up towards the measure of the full stature of Christ.]
He will desire their growth in faith more particularly
[Faith is the root of every grace; and according to its vital operations in us, will be our growth in all that is good. When our Lord inculcated on his Apostles the exercise of a forgiving spirit, they replied, Lord, increase our faith [Note: Luk 17:3-5.]! One would have supposed that they should rather have said, Increase our love. But they judged well; because their love was sure to be augmented in proportion to their faith. It is precisely in the same view that St. Paul speaks to the Corinthians, when he refers to an expected increase of their faith. It is by increasing discoveries of the great mystery of redemption, and of the glory of God as displayed in it, that we are to be assimilated to the image of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ [Note: 2Co 3:18.]; and to be rendered meet for the service of God on earth, or the enjoyment of him in heaven ]
The Apostles hopes of ultimately proceeding to regions beyond them, lead me yet further to notice,
II.
The desires of a faithful minister, in reference to the whole world
A truly benevolent mind will extend its efforts as far as possible for the welfare of mankind: it would not willingly leave one to perish, for whom Christ died. In diffusing the blessings of salvation to the whole world, the pious minister,
1.
Will labour personally with all his might
[A ministers first concern is, to instruct the people committed to his charge: nor will the most enlarged philanthropy justify a neglect of his more appropriate duties. But, whilst it is his duty to pray, Thy kingdom come, it is his duty to exert himself, according to his ability, to extend that kingdom to the very ends of the earth. If by his own personal labours he can carry the Gospel to foreign lands, he will account it his highest honour to engage in that service; and, like the Apostle, will regard every advance which he makes, a step towards regions and services yet beyond. But if his proper labours be stationary, he will exert all his influence to accomplish, through the instrumentality of others, what he cannot effect by his own personal exertions ]
2.
Will look for the concurrence and aid of all his people
[St. Paul hoped that his Corinthian converts would unite in furthering, to the utmost of their power, his efforts for the benefit of others beyond them. It is possible enough that the partiality of some towards him might have made them desirous of enjoying his continued labours, even at the expense of others whom he hoped to benefit. But such selfish wishes are decidedly wrong. We should be willing to make sacrifices for the good of others; and to seek not our own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved [Note: 1Co 10:33.]. By such sacrifices the people do, in fact, concur in promoting and propagating the Gospel of the kingdom: and, if to these they add their pecuniary contributions and their prayers, for the furtherance of this good work, they are, in the truest and sublimest sense, fellow-workers with God. To this, therefore, the faithful minister will endeavour to bring his people: that, through the united efforts of many, that work may be done, which cannot be effected by individual exertion.]
Let me now entreat you,
1.
To improve your own privileges
[Through the tender mercy of God, the Gospel is come unto you; and many of you, I trust, have been led to believe in Christ, to the saving of your souls. But let none of you continue weak in faith. Your faith must increase: your views must be more enlarged, your affiance more simple, your confidence more firm: you must be strong in faith, if you would give glory unto God. Remember, that it is to perfect that which is lacking in your faith, that our labours are directed: and you yourselves must ever keep that object in view. Go on then, from grace to grace: and let this testimony be borne respecting you, that your faith and love grow exceedingly.]
2.
To extend those privileges to all around you
[There is no need that any of you should overstep the line assigned you by Divine Providence: but, if your personal efforts are limited, your wishes and your prayers should know no bounds. I call upon you, then, to help forward the work of God in the world. Assist, to the utmost of your power, the different societies that are established for the conversion whether of Jews or Gentiles: for in this way, though you yourselves are stationary, the work of God will be advanced by you; seeing that the active agents of those societies, both at home and abroad, will be enlarged by you abundantly.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is , of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
Ver. 15. Not boasting of things ] Ammianus Marcellinus tells of one Lampadius, a great person in Rome, who through all parts of the city, where other men had bestowed cost in building, he would set up his own name, not as a repairer of the work, but as the chief builder. Of the same fault Trajan the emperor is said to have been guilty; whence he was commonly called Herba parietina, or Wall Wort.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
15. ] in apposition with . . . 2Co 10:14 , and carrying out the thought. Not boasting without measure in other men’s labours (the element of the boasting), but having a hope if (or, as ) your faith grows, to he enlarged (not as many Commentators, ‘ celebrated :’ the metaphor of measure still remains) among you (so Chrys., Theophyl., Est., Meyer. . is not to be joined with ., as Luth., Calv., Beza, Olsh., De W., in which case it would be superfluous) according to our rule (i.e. our apportionment of apostolic work , for we seek not ) unto abundance (‘so as to abound more than we now do,’ viz. as 2Co 10:16 explains),
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
2Co 10:15 . . . .: not glorying beyond our measure (the argument is resumed from 2Co 10:13 ), that is, in other men’s labours . This he steadily avoided ( cf. Rom 15:20 ); even Rome itself was to be visited en route to Spain (Rom 15:24 ). But his Corinthian opponents were not so scrupulous about intruding into another man’s sphere (1Co 3:10 ; 1Co 4:15 ). . . . .: but having hope that, as your faith groweth (see Eph 2:21 ; Eph 4:15 , Col 1:10 ; Col 2:19 . for intrans. use of , and cf. chap. 2Co 9:10 ), we shall be magnified in you ( cf. Act 5:13 ) according to our rule, i.e. , our “line,” our apportionment of Apostolic work, unto further abundance, so as , etc.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
of = in. Greek. en. App-104.
other men’s, Greek. attotrios. App-124.
faith. Greek. pistil. App-150.
enlarged = magnified. Greek. megatuno. See Act 5:13.
by = in. Greek. en. App-104.
abundantly = unto (Greek. eis) abundance.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
15.] in apposition with … 2Co 10:14, and carrying out the thought. Not boasting without measure in other mens labours (the element of the boasting), but having a hope if (or, as) your faith grows, to he enlarged (not as many Commentators, celebrated: the metaphor of measure still remains) among you (so Chrys., Theophyl., Est., Meyer. . is not to be joined with ., as Luth., Calv., Beza, Olsh., De W., in which case it would be superfluous) according to our rule (i.e. our apportionment of apostolic work, for we seek not ) unto abundance (so as to abound more than we now do, viz. as 2Co 10:16 explains),
Fuente: The Greek Testament
2Co 10:15. , not in relation to) This is the beginning of the second member [See beginning of note 2Co 10:13], which, so far as the construction is concerned, is connected with the end of the first: comp. notes on Rom 8:1. We will not make an advance into any other mans province, saying: These are mine.-, increasing) The present [as your faith is now increasing. But Engl. V. When your faith is increased]. Paul wished neither to leave the Corinthians before the proper time, nor to put off [preaching to] others too long.- , in your case, [by you]) Our altogether solid and complete success in your case will give us an important step towards still farther successes.–) to be truly enlarged by preaching the Gospel [lit. So as to preach the Gospel]. To boast is in antithesis to both verbs conjointly, but especially to enlarged.- ) abundantly.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
2Co 10:15
2Co 10:15
not glorying beyond our measure, that is, in other mens labors;-He did not boast of things not accomplished by himself working by this rule, or accomplished by other men.
but having hope that, as your faith groweth, we shall be magnified in you according to our province unto further abundance,-After he had trained them and gone to other points of labor, he would receive help from them, as he had from the Philippians, who sent to him once and again (Php 4:14-17).
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
boasting: 2Co 10:13, Rom 15:20
enlarged by you: or, magnified in you
Reciprocal: Isa 60:5 – be enlarged Rom 1:15 – I Rom 1:30 – boasters 1Co 3:6 – I 1Co 3:10 – and another 1Co 4:6 – these 2Co 11:10 – no man shall stop me of this boasting Rev 2:3 – hast laboured
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Co 10:15. Paul believed in the phrase “honor to whom honor is due,” and hence would not boast or take credit for work that was accomplished by another. But Corinth was within his allotted territory, therefore his hope was based on developments there. He believed that if the Corinthians made the proper showing of their professed faith, it would enlarge his “field of labor” so that he could do some mere work beyond that locality around the city of Corinth.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
2Co 10:15. not glorying … in other mens labours, but having hope that, as your faith groweth, we shall be magnified in you . . . unto further abundancebe encouraged by our success with you to extend our labours,so as to preach the gospel even unto the parts beyond you, and not to glory in anothers line of things made ready to our hand. The principle here laid down was a fixed one with our apostle. See his remarkable statement of it in Rom 15:18-23
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Here the apostle tells the Corinthians, that he would not boast of other men’s labours, nor pretend any title to those Christians at Corinth, nor any where else, whom others had converted, as the false apostles did: Notwithstanding he declares his hope, that when the gospel should have an eminent success amongst them, and thereby their faith be increased, that the increase of their faith would increase his joy and comfort, his present advantage and future reward; because it was the fruit and increase of the seed which he had himself sown amongst them. The apostle also doth farther declare his hopes, that he should preach the gospel beyond Corinth, in the regions of Achaia, where it had not been preached before; he being unwilling to enter upon other men’s labours.
Here note, That though ordinary ministers are fixed in particular places, and confined to particular churches, yet the apostles had a commission to go into all places, and preach the gospel over the whole world, and were tied to no certain place or people.
Note farther, That the apostle seems to prefer an instrumentality in the work of conversion, before being instrumental in the work of edification. The false apostles could only pretend to build upon other men’s foundations, and carry on a work by others made ready to their hands: But the apostle preferred preaching the gospel where Christ had never been heard of, as being unwilling to build upon another’s foundation, or to boast of another man’s line. It is a special favour now vouchsafed by God to us his ministers, if he puts the honour upon us, to make us instruments in his hands, either for conversion, or edification, either for bringing home, or building up a people.
Happy we, if when our predecessors have laboured before us, we enter into their labour, and see the seed, which they sowed with a laborious hand, flourishing in the lives of our people, to the joy of our hearts. Ere long, both he that sowed, and he that reapeth, shall rejoice together.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Verse 15 He did not have to build on other men’s labors to find work. In fact, he could, and had to, confine his labors to them until they grew. Their lack of growth kept him from furthering the gospel elsewhere.
Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books
not glorying beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors; but having hope that, as your faith groweth, we shall be magnified in you according to our province unto further abundance,
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
Verse 15
That we shall be enlarged by you, &c. The meaning, is that, when their faith was established, he hoped that, through their instrumentality, there would be an extension of the kingdom of Christ into the surrounding regions.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
10:15 Not boasting of things {m} without [our] measure, [that is], of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
(m) As though God had divided the whole world among the apostles to be governed.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Paul was anxious that all the Corinthians acknowledge that he was not doing what his critics were doing. They were taking credit for what God had done through Paul in Corinth. They were apparently claiming that the spiritual vitality of the Corinthian church was due to their ministry in spite of Paul’s influence. This is sometimes a temptation for those who follow others in ministry. Sometimes they confuse unconsciously, or as in the case of Paul’s critics consciously, the results of their work and the results of their predecessors’ work.
Paul wanted the Corinthians to continue to support him as he reached out to yet unevangelized fields such as Rome and Spain in the future (Act 19:21; Rom 1:11; Rom 15:24; Rom 15:28). He hoped that his ministry would take him even farther still.
Pioneer evangelism precluded the possibility of Paul falling into the error of his critics. He could not claim the credit for what his predecessors had done since he had no predecessors when he planted a new church. Paul did not want to build on, much less take credit for, the foundational work that his predecessors had done but to preach the gospel in previously unevangelized areas (Rom 15:18-21). He did not, however, object to others building on the foundation that he had laid or watering what he had planted (1Co 3:6; 1Co 3:10). He did object to their failing to give credit where credit was due.
Paul spoke as though his future was in the Corinthians’ hands. It was because for Paul to proceed into unreached areas he needed to have his former churches, including Corinth, in good spiritual condition. Paul did not just want to plant as many churches as he could. He wanted to plant a church and then make sure it continued to follow the Lord faithfully before he moved on to plant other churches. If it did not, he felt responsible to get it spiritually healthy before he moved on. The faith of the Corinthians would continue to grow as they responded positively to Paul’s instructions. Then they would be able to provide the support (prayer and perhaps financial) that was essential for him to expand his ministry (2Co 10:15 b).