2 Corinthians 10:18
◄  2 Corinthians 10:18  ►
New International Version (©2011)
For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

New Living Translation (©2007)
When people commend themselves, it doesn't count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.

English Standard Version (©2001)
For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one the Lord commends.

International Standard Version (©2012)
It is not the person who commends himself who is approved, but the person whom the Lord commends.

NET Bible (©2006)
For it is not the person who commends himself who is approved, but the person the Lord commends.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
For it is not he who praises himself who is approved, but he whom THE LORD JEHOVAH shall praise.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
It isn't the person who makes his own recommendation who receives approval, but the person whom the Lord recommends.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
For not he that commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

American King James Version
For not he that commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

American Standard Version
For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

Douay-Rheims Bible
For not he who commendeth himself, is approved, but he, whom God commendeth.

Darby Bible Translation
For not he that commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

English Revised Version
For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

Webster's Bible Translation
For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

Weymouth New Testament
For it is not the man that commends himself who is really approved, but he whom the Lord commends.

World English Bible
For it isn't he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

Young's Literal Translation
for not he who is commending himself is approved, but he whom the Lord doth commend.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

10:12-18 If we would compare ourselves with others who excel us, this would be a good method to keep us humble. The apostle fixes a good rule for his conduct; namely, not to boast of things without his measure, which was the measure God had distributed to him. There is not a more fruitful source of error, than to judge of persons and opinions by our own prejudices. How common is it for persons to judge of their own religious character, by the opinions and maxims of the world around them! But how different is the rule of God's word! And of all flattery, self-flattery is the worst. Therefore, instead of praising ourselves, we should strive to approve ourselves to God. In a word, let us glory in the Lord our salvation, and in all other things only as evidences of his love, or means of promoting his glory. Instead of praising ourselves, or seeking the praise of men, let us desire that honour which cometh from God only.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 18. - But whom the Lord commendeth (comp. 1 Corinthians 3:13, 14; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Proverbs 27:2).

Gill's Exposition of the Entire 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.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

18. (Pr 27:2).

whom the Lord commendeth—to whom the Lord has given as His "Epistle of commendation," the believers whom he has been the instrument of converting: as was Paul's case (2Co 3:1-3).

is approved—can stand the test of the final trial. A metaphor from testing metals (Ro 16:10; 1Co 11:19). So on the other hand those finally rejected by the Lord are termed "reprobate silver" (Jer 6:30).

2 Corinthians 10:18 Parallel Commentaries

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Paul Defends his Ministry
…16To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand. 17But he that glories, let him glory in the Lord. 18For not he that commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

Proverbs 27:2 Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.
Romans 2:29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person's praise is not from other people, but from God.
1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.
2 Corinthians 3:1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?
2 Corinthians 10:12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.