Paul
the apostle told the church members in Corinth, “
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”,
and in chapter
ten and verse thirteen of Second Corinthians, Paul pleads with the
church members “we will not boast of things
without our measure”
where we read:
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 unto you.
The verse begins, “But
we will not boast of things without our measure, ...”
Paul began with the word, “but”
which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be
written takes precedence over what was just stated “we
will not boast” or
“Paul and his companions would not vaunt or glory” “of
things without”
which means “toward, into and among” “our
measure”
or “immoderate and immense authority”. Paul would not “brag or
glory” in things which were beyond he and his companions' bounds of
authority.
The verse continues, “
but according to the measure of the rule which God has distributed to
us, a measure to reach even unto you.”
Paul added the word, “but” which
means “” “according to”
or “down from, throughout, toward and along” “the
measure”
which means “the immoderate and immense authority”
“of the rule” or
“the definitely bounded or fixed space within the limits of which
one's power of influence is confined” “which
God” which
refers to “that the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised
of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “has
distributed”
which means “separated, bestowed and imparted” “to
us” or “to
Paul and his companions”, “a
measure”
or “a graduated staff or instrument for measuring” “to
reach”
which means “to extend, arrive or as a cognate” “even
unto you”
which means “toward the church members”. Paul acknowledged God's
“boundaries” which were “bestowed” upon he and his companions
to be “extended” to the church members in Corinth.
When we consider these
words of Paul, we see how he would not take credit for the “measure
of the rule” which was
provided by the Lord to “reach”
the church members. Though he was given authority to aid them, he did
not “glory” in it. Jesus Christ gives “His measure”
to leaders within the church, and it is to be used to “reach”
people for His kingdom. May all who read these words know and
appreciate the way Paul did not “boast”
concerning gifts provided to he and his companions to bless the
people of God.
Next
time Paul
tells
the
church members how he and his companions, “stretch
ourselves beyond our measure”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then,
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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