Knowing The Word in 2 Corinthians 10:13-18, Boasting

13 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. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ. 15 We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, 16 so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another's area of influence. 17 “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Paul is not happy that the false apostles have trespassed his “territory.” God assigned the Corinthians to him. They are his converts, and outsiders are messing them up. Paul can boast because he converted them personally. His past allows him his present course of correction and influence. His hope is to make his converts grow in faith so to influence others, bringing them to faith in Christ. Paul wants to build up this church so that he can go beyond them, perhaps using them as a home base to spread the gospel abroad, and perhaps engaging them as missionaries as well. Paul is directly attacking the self-commending false apostles, who are not commended by God.

Our Father in heaven, I thank you that you have led me into the Light. I thank you for sending the Savior to call me from death to life. I confess that I was dead in sin before I heard his call, but when I heard him, like Lazarus, I arose. But, O my Father, the grave clothes bind me still. Old habits that I cannot throw off, old customs that are so much a part of my life that I am helpless to live the new life that Christ calls me to live. Give me strength, O Father, to break the bonds; give me courage to live a new life in thee; give me faith, to believe that with your help I cannot fail. And this I ask in the Savior’s name who has taught me to come to you.

Source unknown (Taiwan)