Comparing Themselves among Themselves 2 Corinthians 10:12

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth, “Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present”, and in chapter ten and verse twelve of Second Corinthians, Paul addressed the church members concerning some of them, “comparing themselves among themselves” where we read:

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

The verse begins, “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves:” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “we dare not make” or “Paul and his companions did not bear, endure or boldly reckon or judge” “ourselves” which means “Paul and his companions” “of the number” or “of a certain class or count”, “or compare ourselves” which means “fit together, interpret, compound and combine” “with some” which refers to “alongside certain ones” “that commend themselves” which means “who show, prove, establish and exhibit their own selves”. Paul and his companions did not measure or “compare” themselves with those members of the church who attempted to “prove” their own value and worth.

The verse continues, “but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” Paul added the word, “but” which means “they measuring themselves” or “those who commend, show, prove, establish and exhibit themselves” “and comparing” which means “fit together, interpret, compound and combine” “themselves” or “their own selves” “among themselves” which means “with and beside their own selves”, “are not wise” which means “do not consider or act piously with understanding and comprehension”. Paul considered it “unwise” for the church members to “measure” and “compare” themselves to one another.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how “foolish” it is for people within the church to “compare” themselves to one another. There were some among the Corinthians who were doing just that, and Paul recognized it as “vain” and “unwise”. Jesus Christ is the standard of measurement for anyone who “dares” to “compare”, and everyone falls short of Him. Pride replaces humility when a group of Christians begin “comparing” and “measuring” by one another, and those who are “wise” shall never engage in this “foolish” practice.

Next time Paul tells the church members how he and his companions, “will not boast of things without our measure”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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