2 Corinthians 10:13-14 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.
What Paul writes here especially speaks to those in some form of church ministry. The temptation is to boast in our accomplishments, especially if these are for something important like ministry. Paul makes the commitment with his colleagues that they will not “boast beyond limits.” This idiomatic idea likely refers to boasting about whatever comes to mind or about personal abilities and accomplishments. Their boast is focused upon how they have fulfilled God’s call on their lives. Their mission has been to preach the gospel, and one place where they did this was Corinth. Paul, Timothy, Titus, and all their ministry partners have followed this call and did this ministry to the best of their abilities and with full disclosure and integrity. They have nothing to hide. Their motives have been righteous. The evidence of their ministry is clear for everyone to see.
God gave them a specific assignment, and “area of influence.” God gives all of us areas of influence. We should not compare how large or small our area is to that of others. Our area starts with our family and those we live with. It expands out from there. Few people have the influence Paul had in his day. With such responsibility comes much accountability.
Verse 14 is a historical reference to the story found in Acts 18 about when Paul, Timothy, and Silas came to Corinth and preached the good news of Jesus. They are not “overextending” here. This word could be interpreted as “saying too much” or “bragging.” They are not exaggerating the situation or trying to make themselves look good. They are being honest. Their boast is in the Corinthians and what God has done in and through them. Paul appeals to their emotions and memory in these verses. He wants them to see through the haze of the deceit and selfishness of the false teachers and to look back to the past and remember the true gospel of Christ to which they responded at the start. It is too easy for us to get caught in the excitement of the moment and forget the deep truths that have brought us to this point. Too many people live for the moment and do not remember the past or look to future outcomes. Many things of life are trivial and do not matter much but some decisions can impact our eternity.
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