2 Corinthians 10:12

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul, writing to the Corinthian church, is answering rival ministers who were measuring their own prestige against his. He is mid-argument, having just warned (v. 11) that his present actions will match his letters, and about to state his own bounded field of ministry (v. 13).

The words — ἐγκρῖναι (egkrinai, "to classify, to judge apart") and συγκρῖναι (sugkrinai, "to compare, to judge together") share the root κριν- (krin-, "to judge"); Paul pairs a judicial act of separation with one of comparison, then collapses both into the same self-referential loop.

The thread — Proverbs 27:2 assigns praise to another; Proverbs 26:12 flags the man "wise in his own eyes" as beyond hope; 2 Corinthians 10:18 (same chapter) restates the principle: approval comes from the Lord, not from self-commendation.

Why it lands — The verse identifies a specific logical failure: a person who uses only themselves as the measuring stick has constructed a closed system that can never be falsified. It asks the reader to detect that move in any claim of superiority, including their own.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Proverbs 27:2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips.
Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
2 Corinthians 10:18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
Romans 15:18 I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed,
Proverbs 25:27 It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
2 Corinthians 3:1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?
Job 12:2 “Truly then you are the people with whom wisdom itself will die!
2 Corinthians 5:12 We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart.