2 Corinthians 10:17-18 “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.
Verse 17 is a quote from Jeremiah 9:24. In the context of this passage, Paul uses it as support for the defense of his ministry. Verses 17-18 are hinge verses that bridge the ideas of ch. 10 and prepare for chs. 11-12. Paul is not going to boast in his abilities but in what the Lord has done in and through him. Boasting in his accomplishments (“labors”) will bring the focus onto him and lead people away from putting their focus on the grace of God in Christ. If anyone had the “right” to boast in ministry accomplishments, it was Paul who started many churches and traveled thousands of miles in evangelism. The evidence of his work could be found all over the Mediterranean region.
Paul does not look for human praise but for the praise of God. The key word in this passage “commend” appears twice in this verse. “Approved” can be interpreted as tested and proven worthy. Paul will lay out the ways he has been tested. His approval comes from God and not people (see Galatians 1:9-10). Boasting is a way of commending oneself. It brings the attention and focus upon what one has done. It detracts from the Giver and Enabler of life. Boasting is the outward action that comes from the inner disease of pride. Pride is the slippery slope that descends into sin. The best remedy for pride is worship. Worship acknowledges God’s sovereignty and puts God in the proper place in our lives. This is at the essence of the human battle. This battle is being played out in Corinth as Paul writes this letter. He will attempt to refocus the Corinthians’ worship in the following chapters.
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