2 Corinthians 10:13
New International Version
We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you.

New Living Translation
We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you.

English Standard Version
But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you.

Berean Standard Bible
We, however, will not boast beyond our limits, but only within the field of influence that God has assigned to us—a field that reaches even to you.

Berean Literal Bible
But we will not boast into the things beyond measure, but according to the measure of the area that God has assigned to us, a measure to reach also as far as you.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you.

New American Standard Bible
But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the domain which God assigned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.

NASB 1995
But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.

NASB 1977
But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.

Legacy Standard Bible
But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the area of influence which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.

Amplified Bible
We, on the other hand, will not boast beyond our proper limit, but [will keep] within the limits of our commission (territory, authority) which God has granted to us as a measure, which reaches and includes even you.

Christian Standard Bible
We, however, will not boast beyond measure but according to the measure of the area of ministry that God has assigned to us, which reaches even to you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
We, however, will not boast beyond measure but according to the measure of the area of ministry that God has assigned to us, which reaches even to you.

American Standard Version
But we will not glory beyond our measure, but according to the measure of the province which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even unto you.

Contemporary English Version
We won't brag about something we don't have a right to brag about. We will only brag about the work God has sent us to do, and you are part of that work.

English Revised Version
But we will not glory beyond our measure, but according to the measure of the province which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even unto you.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
How can we brag about things that no one can evaluate? Instead, we will only brag about what God has given us to do-coming to [the city of Corinth] where you live.

Good News Translation
As for us, however, our boasting will not go beyond certain limits; it will stay within the limits of the work which God has set for us, and this includes our work among you.

International Standard Version
We will not boast about what cannot be evaluated. Instead, we will stay within the field that God assigned us, so as to reach even you.

Majority Standard Bible
We, however, will not boast beyond our limits, but only within the field of influence that God has assigned to us?a field that reaches even to you.

NET Bible
But we will not boast beyond certain limits, but will confine our boasting according to the limits of the work to which God has appointed us, that reaches even as far as you.

New Heart English Bible
But we will not boast beyond proper limits, but within the boundaries with which God appointed to us, which reach even to you.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 to you.

Weymouth New Testament
We, however, will not exceed due limits in our boasting, but will keep within the limits of the sphere which God has assigned to us as a limit, which reaches even to you.

World English Bible
But we will not boast beyond proper limits, but within the boundaries with which God appointed to us, which reach even to you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and we will not boast ourselves in regard to the unmeasured things, but after the measure of the line that the God of measure appointed to us—to reach even to you;

Berean Literal Bible
But we will not boast into the things beyond measure, but according to the measure of the area that God has assigned to us, a measure to reach also as far as you.

Young's Literal Translation
and we in regard to the unmeasured things will not boast ourselves, but after the measure of the line that the God of measure did appoint to us -- to reach even unto you;

Smith's Literal Translation
And we boast not of things immeasurable, but according to the measure of the rule which the God of measure divided to us, to reach even also to you.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But we will not glory beyond our measure; but according to the measure of the rule, which God hath measured to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Thus, we will not glory beyond our measure, but rather according to the measure of the limit which God has measured out to us, a measure which extends even to you.

New American Bible
But we will not boast beyond measure but will keep to the limits God has apportioned us, namely, to reach even to you.

New Revised Standard Version
We, however, will not boast beyond limits, but will keep within the field that God has assigned to us, to reach out even as far as you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
We do not boast beyond our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God has distributed to us, a measure to reach even to you.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But we do not boast beyond our size, but by the measure of the limits that God has distributed to us, to reach also as far as to you.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But we will not boast ourselves with respect to regions not measured to us; but according to the measure of the line which God, who measures, has appointed for us to reach even to you.

Godbey New Testament
But we will not boast in things without measure, but according to the measure of the rule which measure God has measured to us, to reach even unto you.

Haweis New Testament
But we will not glory in things beyond our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath marked out for us?a measure that hath reached even unto you.

Mace New Testament
I will not boast of any thing done without my province, but confine myself within that line by which God has mark'd out my bounds, and in which you are included.

Weymouth New Testament
We, however, will not exceed due limits in our boasting, but will keep within the limits of the sphere which God has assigned to us as a limit, which reaches even to you.

Worrell New Testament
But we will not glory beyond our measure, but according to the measure of the limit which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even to you.

Worsley New Testament
But we will not glory of things beyond our bounds, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath given to us, a measure to come even unto you.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Apostolic Authority
12We 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 show their ignorance. 13We, however, will not boast beyond our limits, but only within the field of influence that God has assigned to us— a field that reaches even to you. 14We are not overstepping our bounds, as if we had not come to you. Indeed, we were the first to reach you with the gospel of Christ.…

Cross References
Romans 12:3
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.

Galatians 2:7-9
On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. / For the One who was at work in Peter’s apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in my apostleship to the Gentiles. / And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.

1 Corinthians 3:5-9
What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role. / I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. / So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. ...

Ephesians 4:7
Now to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Acts 13:46-47
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. / For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

1 Corinthians 9:16-18
Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am obligated to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! / If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility. / What then is my reward? That in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not use up my rights in preaching it.

1 Corinthians 4:15
Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

Philippians 3:16
Nevertheless, we must live up to what we have already attained.

1 Peter 4:10-11
As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another. / If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Matthew 25:14-30
For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. / To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey. / The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more. ...

Acts 20:24
But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Romans 15:18-20
I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed, / by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. / In this way I have aspired to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11
There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. / There are different ministries, but the same Lord. / There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people. ...

1 Timothy 1:12-14
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that He considered me faithful and appointed me to service. / I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy. / And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.


Treasury of Scripture

But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God has distributed to us, a measure to reach even to you.

we will not.

2 Corinthians 10:15
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,

Proverbs 25:14
Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

according.

2 Corinthians 10:14
For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:

Matthew 25:15
And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

Romans 12:6
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

rule.

Psalm 19:4
Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

Isaiah 28:17
Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

Romans 10:18
But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

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Appointed Apportioned Assigned Boast Boundaries Distributed Due Exceed Field Glory However Limits Measure Ourselves Over-Great Proper Province Reach Regard Rule Sphere Within
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Appointed Apportioned Assigned Boast Boundaries Distributed Due Exceed Field Glory However Limits Measure Ourselves Over-Great Proper Province Reach Regard Rule Sphere Within
2 Corinthians 10
1. Against the false apostles, who disgraced the weakness of his person and bodily presence,
4. he shows the spiritual might and authority with which he was armed against all adverse powers;
7. assuring those who at his coming he will be found as mighty in word as he is now in writing;
12. and encouraging them to reach out themselves beyond their compass.














We, however
This phrase sets a contrast between Paul and others who were boasting without restraint. The Greek word for "we" (ἡμεῖς) emphasizes the collective nature of Paul's ministry team, highlighting unity and shared purpose. "However" (δὲ) introduces a shift, indicating a different approach from those who boast without divine sanction. This reflects a humble acknowledgment of God's sovereignty in ministry.

will not boast
The Greek word for "boast" (καυχάομαι) implies a sense of pride or glorying in something. Paul is careful to distinguish between rightful boasting in the Lord and wrongful self-exaltation. In a historical context, boasting was common in Greco-Roman culture, often associated with personal achievements. Paul redirects this cultural norm to focus on what God has done through him.

beyond our limits
The phrase "beyond our limits" (εἰς τὰ ἄμετρα) suggests a boundary or measure. The Greek word "ἄμετρα" implies something that is not measured or beyond measure. Paul acknowledges that there are divinely set boundaries for his ministry, emphasizing the importance of staying within God's ordained sphere of influence.

but only within the field of influence
The term "field of influence" (κατὰ τὸ μέτρον τοῦ κανόνος) uses the Greek word "κανόνος," which can mean a rule or standard. This suggests a divinely appointed area of responsibility. Paul recognizes that his authority and influence are not self-appointed but are given by God, underscoring the importance of divine calling and commission.

that God has assigned to us
The phrase "that God has assigned" (ὁ θεὸς ἐμέρισεν) uses the Greek verb "ἐμέρισεν," meaning to divide or distribute. This indicates that God is the one who apportions roles and responsibilities in ministry. It reflects a deep trust in God's sovereignty and wisdom in assigning tasks according to His divine plan.

a field that reaches even to you
The word "reaches" (ἐφικνούμενον) implies an extension or reaching out. Paul is affirming that his ministry legitimately extends to the Corinthians, as part of the field God has given him. This highlights the relational aspect of Paul's ministry, emphasizing that his work among the Corinthians is not an overreach but a fulfillment of God's purpose.

(13) But we will not boast of things without our measure.--The words imply, of course, that his opponents were doing this. He refers in it to the concordat established between himself and Barnabas, on the one hand, and Peter, James, and John on the other, to which he refers in Galatians 2:9. He had not transgressed the terms of that concordat by thrusting himself upon a Church which had been founded by one of the Apostles of the circumcision. He had gone, step by step, seeking "fresh fields and pastures new," till he had reached Corinth as, at present, the farthest limit of his work. In that apportionment of work, though it was a compact with human teachers, he saw the guidance of God; his opponents, on the other hand, had systematically violated it. They had come to the Church of Antioch, which had been founded by Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:1); they had followed in his footsteps in Galatia (see Introduction to Epistle to the Galatians); they were now stirring up strife and disloyalty at Corinth. We note as an undesigned coincidence that a few weeks or months later, as in Romans 15:19, he had preached the gospel as far as Illyricum, but this was during the time immediately following on the despatch of this Epistle, during which, on his way to Corinth, whence he wrote to Rome, he had "gone over those parts, and given them much exhortation" (Acts 20:2).

Verse 13. - Will not boast of things without our measure. This might be rendered, "will not indulge in these immeasurable boastings;" but ver. 15 points to the sense, "we will not glory beyond our measure." Of the rule; i.e. of the measuring line. I will keep to the province and limit which God has assigned to me in my proper mea- sure. St. Paul declines the favourite office of being "other people's bishop ἀλλοτριοεπίσκοπος)" (1 Peter 4:15). Hath distributed; rather, apportioned.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
We,
ἡμεῖς (hēmeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

however,
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

will not boast
καυχησόμεθα (kauchēsometha)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2744: To boast; I glory (exult) proudly. From some base akin to that of aucheo and euchomai; to vaunt.

beyond our limits,
ἄμετρα (ametra)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 280: Not measurable, immeasurable, to a limitless degree. Immoderate.

but only
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

within
κατὰ (kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

field of influence
μέτρον (metron)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3358: An apparently primary word; a measure, literally or figuratively; by implication, a limited portion.

that
οὗ (hou)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

God
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

has assigned
ἐμέρισεν (emerisen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3307: From meros; to part, i.e. to apportion, bestow, share, or to disunite, differ.

to us—
ἡμῖν (hēmin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

a field
μέτρου (metrou)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3358: An apparently primary word; a measure, literally or figuratively; by implication, a limited portion.

that reaches
ἐφικέσθαι (ephikesthai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Middle
Strong's 2185: To come to, reach as far as. From epi and a cognate of heko; to arrive upon, i.e. Extend to.

even
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

to
ἄχρι (achri)
Preposition
Strong's 891: As far as, up to, until, during. Or achris akh'-rece; akin to akron; until or up to.

you.
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.


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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 10:13 But we will not boast beyond proper (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)
2 Corinthians 10:12
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