NOTES for Co2 10:12

Paul insists that his opponents can boast only in their own high opinion of themselves. But for himself he considers only one boast possible: the fulfillment of the mission laid on him by God, preaching and forming church communities. For him this is labor that he performs not as he is able, but as he must. In his daily concerns he leaves no room for the satisfaction of human vanity, the search for glory, or anything else just as temporary. The only thing precious in his eyes is life for the sake of God.

It is not for nothing that in the last verses of this passage the apostle seems to recall the text from the prophet Jeremiah: "But let the one who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, who exercises mercy, judgment, and righteousness on the earth; for in these things I delight, says the Lord" (Jer 9:24).

Continuing to speak about himself and his ministry, Paul again says that he never made it his goal to achieve success or popularity in the Corinthian church or in any other church. About preachers who seek popularity, the apostle says that they "compare themselves with themselves" (v. 12), thereby noting the key feature of every kind of self-assertion: the self-assertive person always considers himself, and himself alone, the only criterion of truth. Paul, however, is not trying to compare himself with anyone at all. He is simply doing God's work, saying of himself that he will boast "according to the measure of the portion given by God" in this work (v. 13). But "boasting" of this kind is not boasting at all, because with this approach to one's own ministry the minister no longer needs to be preoccupied with an imagined "fit" or "lack of fit" either for the task set before him or for the audience sent to him by God. He does not need to "stretch" himself anywhere (v. 14); he simply does the work entrusted to him by God, and doing it brings him closer to those whom God has entrusted to him (vv. 14-16).

Summing up what has been said, Paul calls those who still want to boast about something to "boast in the Lord," which for him in fact means only one thing: to give everything, including all successes and achievements, to God, who Himself will grant His servant as much honor and respect from others as He considers necessary (vv. 17-18). This is not a call to modesty as such, but the fact that without humility, without complete surrender of oneself to the will of God, together with everything one has, including all successes and achievements in the work entrusted by God, one cannot enter the Kingdom. For there, what matters is not merit, but relationships. And these relationships are not determined by any merit. For the Kingdom the opposite is closer to the truth: any merits have meaning in it only insofar as they are the fruit of relationships among the inhabitants of the Kingdom. That is why Paul calls attention to the love that binds Christians together, not to merits that often become a cause of division.

As this epistle moves into chapter 10, the Apostle’s tone changes abruptly. Perhaps he had received new information about the situation in the Corinthian community that compelled him once again to call the Corinthians to obedience.

Paul uses rather sharp expressions and takes a very firm position toward those who undermine his authority in the community and call into question his vocation as an Apostle of Christ. Notice how he uses military terminology in verses 3–6. Indeed, “his letters are weighty and strong,” and he threatens to be the same “in person” (10–11). What, then, distinguishes the Apostle Paul from the leader of some totalitarian sect? And can we use his severity to justify our own harsh words and actions directed against our brothers?

First, Paul’s weapons are “mighty through God”: he does not act on his own behalf or initiative. Can we say the same of ourselves? Second, he takes “every thought captive to obey Christ.” It is very important that Paul demands obedience not to himself but to God. How often our harshness is prompted only by personal motives! Finally, third, Paul “boasts”—that is, insists on his authority—only “according to the measure of the sphere which God appointed us, a measure that reaches even to you.” He respects the freedom of the Corinthian Christians. His goal is the free obedience to God of those whom he has “reached with the gospel of Christ.” Yet obedience to God is at the same time a condition of the Apostle’s authority in the community (6). He does not usurp power in the Corinthian church, even in Christ’s name. And if we must sometimes be firm toward our brothers or sisters, we need to learn from the Apostle Paul to combine firmness with love and respect for them.