What does 2 Corinthians 10:12 mean about those who measure themselves by themselves?
Paul refuses to compare himself with those who commend themselves. Such people measure themselves by their own standards and compare only among themselves, revealing they are not one. They were fault-finding critics trying to elevate their position, lacking knowledge and unaware their influence was slipping. Paul instead affirms his apostleship to the Gentiles.
Les explains that in 2 Corinthians 10:12 Paul is responding to people coming into the congregation who were finding fault with him and trying to elevate their own position. In their lack of knowledge, they really did not know what they were doing. They measured themselves by themselves and compared themselves among themselves, and so they were not one. Paul also notes that these men ridiculed and criticized his ministry, but they no longer had the power and clout they thought they had, and they had not realized it was slipping away. Paul then asserts, “I am the apostle of the Gentiles.”
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.
More Questions
Why does Les connect 2 Corinthians 10:12 with Paul's mention of the twelve in Galatians 2?
When Paul in Galatians 2 refers to the twelve in Jerusalem as men who seemed to be pillars, that is the same point 2 Corinthians 10:12 is making about men who measure and compare themselves among themselves.