2 Corinthians 10:12

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves i.e. ironically, we dare not venture to number or compare ourselveswith certain persons who have of late been claiming great authority among you. After St Paul's manner (see ch. 2 Corinthians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 3:2) there is a play upon words here, which is difficult to translate.

commend themselves As has been said, the Greek word here used has in the N. T. the sense of praise; but probably here the leading idea as in ch. 2 Corinthians 3:1 is of recommendingthemselves, by such means as are indicated in Chapter s 1 3 of the first Epistle, and of having their own selfish objects in view in so doing.

but they measuring themselves The idea suggested by the A.V. is of men whose motives are centred in self. They judge themselves by their own standard, they take advantage of other men's labours, they even, St Paul seems to hint (2 Corinthians 10:16), boast of other men's labours, they give other men no credit for what they have done. And all this, like the Galatian teachers (Galatians 4:17), that they may occupy the principal place in the Corinthian Church. There is another reading here, however, which is accepted by many editors and preferred by Dean Stanley, which gives an entirely different turn to the sentence. Omitting the words - are not wise, but we" the passage runs, - but measuring ourselves by ourselves, and comparing ourselves with ourselves, we do not boast beyond measure." This reading may have been caused by the transcriber's eye passing from ΟΥΣ to ΟΥΚ in the Greek, and omitting the intervening words, while it is difficult to see how St Paul can describe himself as avoiding the danger of boasting beyond measure by the very process which experience shews to be the commonest mode of causing such boasting, namely by taking oneself as the sole standard of comparison. And the testimony of MSS. and versions is much in favour of the received text. See however next note but two.

by themselves Literally, in themselves, i.e. if we accept the A.V., having their thoughts perpetually turned inwards in complacent self-contemplation. Meyer quotes the expression Metiri suo modulofrom Horace Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 1:7. 98.

amongst themselves Rather, with themselves.

are not wise These words are omitted by the Vulgate and Wiclif. It must be confessed that they are not in the Apostle's manner, and that they have a suspicious appearance of having been inserted to fill up some supposed deficiency in the sense. But see last note but two. If we omit them, together with the words -But we" in the next verse, the Apostle's meaning will be, -We do not compare ourselves with some who have lately appeared among you. We keep within the bounds of our own labours, of the work that God has marked out for us. We do not -build on another man's foundation" (Romans 15:20) or challenge comparison by intruding into another man's sphere of work." See also 2 Corinthians 10:15. The balance of probability, in spite of the difficulties enumerated above, is in favour of this reading. St Paul seems to imply that he avoids allcomparison by keeping within his own bounds. See Analysis, Introduction, ch. 11.