Day 16 – 2 Corinthians 10:10-18

For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.” Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present. For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ; not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you, so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another. But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.^[1]

A popular phrase often heard in the Church is, “stay in your lane.” The Apostle Paul writes twice of a sphere God has apportioned to him. It is his lane, if you will, and if he is to boast at all it will be according to the measure God has apportioned to him. While Paul is loathe to boast about himself (“he who boasts is to boast in the Lord”), he recognizes the temptation and the tendency of some to do so. The problem is that the boasting arises out the need to compare ourselves to others and it is not according to the measure of the sphere which has been apportioned to us. In other words, the ones who are doing the boasting are overextending or overstating who they are and what they have done.

It is the nature of boasting to overstate, to make claims that are exaggerations. Perhaps the issue in Corinth, which Paul here addresses, was one where those vying for leadership attempted to advance their resume by presenting themselves as more than Paul and certainly more than they were. Paul would tell the Romans to not think of themselves more highly than they should (Romans 12), and this is a practical example of where individuals have gotten out of their lane, out of their sphere, taking credit for what others have done and representing themselves as something they are not. Paul defends himself in these verses but also recognizes the end these braggadocios individuals sought, the approval of the people. We can never advance doing and saying things that we believe will elevate us in the esteem of people. Promotion does not come from the east or the west but from the Lord (Psalm 75:6). So, stay in your lane.

Dear Lord, thank You for gifting us, anointing us, and appointing us. Enable us to move and minister with confidence in the measure of the sphere you have apportioned to us. Keep us from vain comparisons to others, but help us to finely hone the gifts we have received for the glory of Your name and the edification of Your people. Forgive us for the times we envy what others have and can do and measure ourselves against them. Help us to stay and have joy in the lane You have apportioned to us, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

^[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), 2 Co 10:10–18.