The Gospel Preached in Regions Beyond 2 Corinthians 10:16

Paul the apostle shared with the church members in Corinth that he and his companions were, “Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labors; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,”, and in chapter ten and verse sixteen of Second Corinthians, Paul pleads with the church members “as we are in word by letters...such will we be also in deed” where we read:

To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you,

and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.

The verse begins, “To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you,” Paul began with the words, “to preach” which means “to declare and announce” “the gospel” or “good news and glad tidings” “in the regions beyond you” or “the parts lying farther than the country of the church member's residence”. Paul and his companions' desire was to “announce” the “good news” of Jesus Christ to places “beyond” where the Corinthians lived.

The verse continues, “and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.” Paul added the words, “and not boast” which means “and not to vaunt or glory” “in another man's line” or “in another person's measure or rule” “of things made ready to our hand” which is all one Greek word “hetoimos” and means “prepared, opportune and seasonable”. Paul and his companions did not “boast” in other people's “seasonable” area of ministry.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see how he and his companions desired to “proclaim” the “gospel” of Jesus Christ farther than they had gone thus far. They did not want to “boast” in other people's ventures in the “gospel”, but rather in their own. Jesus Christ desires that everyone receive His “good news”, and those who put their faith and trust in Him shall be saved. This message is worth being extended to “the far regions of the earth”, and may the Lord allow it to be shared throughout the entire world.

Next time Paul instructs the church members, “he that glories, let him glory in the Lord”, 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.