the Week of Proper 21 / Ordinary 26
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THE MESSAGE
2 Corinthians 10:18
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- DailyParallel Translations
For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.
For it is not the one who commends himself that is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
Patting yourself on the back don't count for nothing. Ride in a way where God will do the pattin'.
For the Lord's approval of a man is not dependent on his opinion of himself, but on the Lord's opinion of him.
For not *he* that commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one the Lord commends.
For it isn't he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
For it is not the man that commends himself who is really approved, but he whom the Lord commends.
For, not he that commendeth himselfe is approued, but whom the Lord commendeth.
For not the one commending himself is the one approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
for he yt prayseth him selfe, is not alowed, but he who ye LORDE prayseth.
for not he that commendeth himself, but he whom the Lord commendeth, is the approved.
For it is not he who commends and praises himself who is approved [by God], but it is the one whom the Lord commends and praises.
For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
For it is not the man who commends himself that is accepted, but the man whom the Lord commends.
For he that prayseth him silfe is not alowed: but he whom the lorde prayseth.
For [it is] not he that commends himself [who] is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
for not he who is commending himself is approved, but he whom the Lord doth commend.
It is not those who say they are good who are accepted but those the Lord thinks are good.
For it is not the person who commends himself who is approved, but the person the Lord commends.
For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
You may brag about yourself, but the only approval that counts is the Lord's approval.
because it is not the one who recommends himself who is worthy of approval, but the one whom the Lord recommends.
For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
For hee that praiseth himselfe, is not alowed, but he whome the Lorde praiseth.
For it is not the one who praises himself who is approved, but the one whom the LORD commends.
For it isn't he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
It is not the person who commends himself who is approved, but the person whom the Lord commends.Proverbs 27:2; Romans 2:29; 1 Corinthians 4:5;">[xr]
For it is not he who glorifieth himself who is approved, but he who is glorified of the Lord.
For not he who praiseth himself, is approved; but he whom the Lord praiseth.
For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
When people commend themselves, it doesn't count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.
It is not what a man thinks and says of himself that is important. It is what God thinks of him.
For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
For it is not those who commend themselves that are approved, but those whom the Lord commends.
For, not he that commendeth himself, he, is approved, but he whom, the Lord, doth commend.
For not he who commendeth himself is approved: but he, whom God commendeth.
For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
For he that prayseth hymselfe, is not alowed, but whom the Lorde prayseth.
What people say about themselves means nothing. What counts is whether the Lord says they have done well.
For it is not the one who commends himself that is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
For it is when the Lord thinks well of us that we are really approved, and not when we think well of ourselves.
For not he that comendith hym silf is preuyd, but whom God comendith.
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
not: 2 Corinthians 10:12, 2 Corinthians 3:1, 2 Corinthians 5:12, Proverbs 21:2, Proverbs 27:2, Luke 16:15, Luke 18:10-14
approved: 2 Corinthians 6:4, 2 Corinthians 13:7, Acts 2:22, Romans 14:18, Romans 16:10, 1 Corinthians 11:19, 2 Timothy 2:15
but: Matthew 25:20-23, John 5:42-44, John 12:43, Romans 2:29, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 1 Peter 1:7
Reciprocal: Proverbs 12:8 - commended Matthew 6:18 - appear Matthew 25:21 - Well Matthew 26:13 - there Mark 14:6 - Let John 5:44 - and John 8:54 - If 2 Corinthians 12:10 - for Christ's Philippians 2:29 - and
Cross-References
Toi, king of Hamath, heard that David had struck down the entire army of Hadadezer. So he sent his son Joram to King David to greet and congratulate him for fighting and defeating them, for Toi and Hadadezer were old enemies. He brought with him gifts of silver, gold, and bronze. King David consecrated these along with the silver and gold from all the nations he had conquered—from Aram, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and from Amalek, along with the plunder from Hadadezer son of Rehob king of Zobah.
The king of Assyria brought in people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim, and relocated them in the towns of Samaria, replacing the exiled Israelites. They moved in as if they owned the place and made themselves at home. When the Assyrians first moved in, God was just another god to them; they neither honored nor worshiped him. Then God sent lions among them and people were mauled and killed.
Abijah took a prominent position on Mount Zemaraim in the hill country of Ephraim and gave this speech: "Listen, Jeroboam and all Israel! Don't you realize that God , the one and only God of Israel, established David and his sons as the permanent rulers of Israel, ratified by a ‘covenant of salt'— God 's kingdom ruled by God 's king? And what happened? Jeroboam, the son of Solomon's slave Nebat, rebelled against his master. All the riffraff joined his cause and were too much for Rehoboam, Solomon's true heir. Rehoboam didn't know his way around—besides he was a real wimp; he couldn't stand up against them.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
For not he that commendeth himself is approved,.... Such may be said to commend themselves, who ascribe that to themselves, which do not belong to them; as that they are the ministers of Christ, and sent forth by him, when they are not; who boast that they have large ministerial gifts, when they have none; and of their great service and usefulness, when it is all the produce of other men's labours; and what they have and do, they wholly impute to their own power and industry, and not to the grace and power of God: now such persons are neither approved by God, nor good men; for their own self-commendation stands for nothing, and is so far from being acceptable to God or men, that it must be nauseous and disagreeable; see Proverbs 27:2.
But whom the Lord commendeth: they are approved by God and men, and they are such whom he highly honours, as he did Paul, by counting them faithful; and putting them into the ministry, by qualifying them for his service, by assisting them in it, and making them abundantly useful for the good of souls, and the glory of his name: by all which he bears a testimony to them, and shows his approbation of them, and at last will say, well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
For 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 God. He is to pass judgment on them, and that judgment is to be in accordance with his estimate of their character, and not according to their own. If he approves them they will be saved; if he does not, vain will be all their empty boasting; vain all their reliance on their wealth, eloquence. learning, or earthly honors. None will save them from condemnation; not all these things can purchase for them eternal life. Paul thus seriously shows that we should be mainly anxious to obtain the divine favor. It should be the grand aim and purpose of our life; and we should repress all disposition for vain - glory or self-confidence; all reliance on our talents, attainments, or accomplishments for salvation. our boast is that we have such a redeemer: and in that we all may glory!
Remarks
1. We should have no desire to show off any special boldness or energy of character which we may have; 2 Corinthians 10:1-2. We should greatly prefer to evince the gentleness and meekness of Christ. Such a character is in itself of far more value than one that is merely energetic and bold; that is rash, authoritative, and fond of display.
2. They who are officers in the church should have no desire to administer discipline; 2 Corinthians 10:2. Some people are so fond of power that they always love to exercise it. They are willing to show it even by inflicting punishment on others; and “dressed in a little brief authority” they are constantly seeking occasion to show their consequence; they magnify trifles; they are unwilling to pass by the slightest offences. The reason is not that they love the truth, but that they love their own consequence, and they seek every opportunity to show it.
3. All Christians and all Christian ministers are engaged in a warfare; 2 Corinthians 10:3. They are at war with sin in their own hearts, and with sin wherever it exists on earth, and with the powers of darkness. With foes so numerous and so vigilant, they should not expect to live a life of ease or quietness. Peace, perfect peace, they may expect in heaven, not on earth. Here they are to fight the good fight of faith and thus to lay held on eternal life. It has been the common lot of all the children of God to maintain such a war, and shall we expect to be exempt?
“Shall I be carried to the skies.
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?
“Are there no foes for me to face,
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?”
4. The weapons of the Christian are not to be carnal, but are to be spiritual; 2 Corinthians 10:4. He is not to make his way by the exhibition of human passion; in bloody strife; and by acting under the influence of ambitious feelings. Truth is his weapon; and armed with truth, and aided by the Spirit of God, he is to expect the victory. How different is the Christian warfare from others! How different is Christianity from other systems! Muhammed made his way by arms, and propagated his religion amidst the din of battle. But not so with Christianity. That is to make its way by the silent, but mighty operation of truth; and there is not a rampart of idolatry and sin that is not yet to fall before it.
5. The Christian should be a man of a pure spirit; 2 Corinthians 10:4. He is to make his way by the truth. He should therefore love the truth, and he should seek to diffuse it as far as possible. In propagating or defending it, he should be always mild, gentle, and kind. Truth is never advanced, and an adversary is never convinced, where passion is evinced; where there is a haughty manner or a belligerent spirit. The apostolic precepts are full of “wisdom,” “speaking the truth in love” Ephesians 4:15), “in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves: if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;” 2 Timothy 2:25.
6. In his warfare the Christian shall conquer; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5. Against the truth of Christianity nothing has been able to stand. It made its way against the arrayed opposition of priests and emperors; against customs and laws; against inveterate habits and opinions; against all forms of sin, until it triumphed, and “the banners of the faith floated from the palaces of the Caesars.” So it will be in all the conflicts with evil. Nothing is more certain than that the powers of darkness in this world are destined to fall before the power of Christian truth, and that every stronghold of sin shall yet be demolished. So it is in the conflicts of the individual Christian. He may struggle long and hard. He may have many foes to contend with. But he shall gain the victory. His triumph shall be secure; and he shall yet be enabled to say, “I have fought a good fight - henceforth there is laid up for me a crown.”
“The saints in all this glorious war.
Shall conquer though they die;
They see the triumph from afar,
And seize it with their eye.”
7. Yet all should feel their dependence on God; 2 Corinthians 10:4. It is only through him and by his aid that we have any power. Truth itself has no power except as it is attended and directed by God; and we should engage in our conflict feeling that none but God can give us the victory. If forsaken by him, we shall fall; if supported by him, we may face without fear a “frowning world,” and all the powers of the “dark world of hell.”
8. We should not judge by the outward appearance; 2 Corinthians 10:7. It is the heart that determines the character; and by that God shall judge us, and by that we should judge ourselves.
9. We should aim to extend the gospel as far as possible; 2 Corinthians 10:14-16. Paul aimed to go beyond the regions where the gospel had been preached, and to extend it to far distant lands. So the “field” still “is the world.” A large portion of the earth is yet unevangelized. Instead, therefore, of sitting down quietly in enjoyment and ease, let us, like him, earnestly desire to extend the influence of pure religion, and to bring distant nations to the saving knowledge of the truth.
10. Let us not boast in ourselves; 2 Corinthians 10:17. Not of our talents, wealth, learning, or accomplishments let us glory. But let us glory that we have such a God as Yahweh. Let us glory that we have such a Redeemer as Jesus Christ. Let us glory that we have such a sanctifier as the Holy Spirit. Let us acknowledge God as the source of all our blessings, and to him let us honestly consecrate our hearts and our lives.
11. What a reverse of judgment there will yet be on human character! 2 Corinthians 10:17-18. How many now commend themselves who will be condemned in the last day. How many people boast of their talents and morals, and even their religion, who will then be involved in indiscriminate condemnation with the most vile and worthless of the race. How anxious should we be, therefore, to secure the approbation of God; and whatever our fellow-men may say of us, how infinitely desirable is it to be commended then by our heavenly Father.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 2 Corinthians 10:18. Not 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 labours; 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 qualifications to which the false apostle at Corinth could not pretend. He had language and eloquence, and show and parade; but he had neither the gifts of an apostle nor an apostle's success.
1. DR. WHITBY observes that the apostle, in the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th verses, 2 Corinthians 10:13-16 endeavours to advance himself above the false apostles in the three following particulars:-
(1.) That whereas they could show no commission to preach to the Corinthians, no measure by which God had distributed the Corinthians to them as their province, he could do so. We have a measure to reach even to you, 2 Corinthians 10:13.
(2.) That whereas they went out of their line, leaping from one Church to another, he went on orderly, in the conversion of the heathens, from Judea through all the interjacent provinces, till he came to Corinth.
(3.) Whereas they only came in and perverted the Churches where the faith had already been preached, and so could only boast of things made ready to their hands, 2 Corinthians 10:16, he had laboured to preach the Gospel where Christ had not been named, lest he should build on another man's foundation, Romans 15:20.
2. We find that from the beginning God appointed to every man his promise, and to every man his labour; and would not suffer even one apostle to interfere with another. This was a very wise appointment; for by this the Gospel was not only more speedily diffused over the heathen nations, as we have already remarked, but the Churches were better attended to, the Christian doctrine preserved in its purity, and the Christian discipline properly enforced. What is any men's work is no man's in particular; and thus the work is neglected. In every Church of God there should be some one who for the time being has the care of it, who may be properly called its pastor; and who is accountable for its purity in the faith, and its godly discipline.
3. Every man who ministers in holy things should be well assured of his call to the work; without this he can labour neither with confidence nor comfort. And he should be careful to watch over the flock, that no destroying wolf be permitted to enter the sacred fold, and that the fences of a holy discipline be kept in proper repair.
4. It is base, abominable, and deeply sinful, for a man to thrust himself into other men's labours, and, by sowing doubtful disputations among a Christian people, distract and divide them, that he may get a party to himself. Such persons generally act as the false apostle at Corinth; preach a relaxed morality; place great stress upon certain doctrines which flatter and soothe self-love; calumniate the person, system of doctrines, and mode of discipline, of the pastor who perhaps planted that Church, or who in the order of God's providence has the oversight of it. This is an evil that has prevailed much in all ages of the Church; there is at present much of it in the Christian world, and Christianity is disgraced by it.
