Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version 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 are not wise. New Living Translation Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant! English Standard Version Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. Berean Standard Bible 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 Literal Bible For we dare not to classify or to compare ourselves with some commending themselves. But these, measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves with themselves, do not understand. King James Bible 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. New King James Version For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. New American Standard Bible For we do not presume to rank or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they have no understanding. NASB 1995 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. NASB 1977 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. Legacy Standard Bible For we do not dare to classify 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. Amplified Bible We do not have the audacity to put ourselves in the same class or compare ourselves with some who [supply testimonials to] commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they lack wisdom and behave like fools. Christian Standard Bible For we don’t dare classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. But in measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves, they lack understanding. Holman Christian Standard Bible For we don’t dare classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. But in measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves, they lack understanding. American Standard Version For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with certain of them that commend themselves: but they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding. Aramaic Bible in Plain English For we dare not value or compare ourselves against those who flaunt themselves, for those among them who compare themselves are not wise. Contemporary English Version We won't dare compare ourselves with those who think so much of themselves. But they are foolish to compare themselves with themselves. Douay-Rheims Bible For we dare not match, or compare ourselves with some, that commend themselves; but we measure ourselves by ourselves, and compare ourselves with ourselves. English Revised Version For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with certain of them that commend themselves: but they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding. GOD'S WORD® Translation We wouldn't put ourselves in the same class with or compare ourselves to those who are bold enough to make their own recommendations. Certainly, when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves to themselves, they show how foolish they are. Good News Translation Of course we would not dare classify ourselves or compare ourselves with those who rate themselves so highly. How stupid they are! They make up their own standards to measure themselves by, and they judge themselves by their own standards! International Standard Version We would not dare put ourselves in the same class with, or compare ourselves to, those who recommend themselves. Whenever they measure themselves by their own standards or compare themselves among themselves, they show how foolish they are. Literal Standard Version For we do not make bold to rank or to compare ourselves with certain of those commending themselves, but they, measuring themselves among themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are not wise, Majority Standard Bible 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. New American Bible Not that we dare to class or compare ourselves with some of those who recommend themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. NET Bible For we would not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who recommend themselves. But when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. New Revised Standard Version We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another, and compare themselves with one another, they do not show good sense. New Heart English Bible For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding. Webster's Bible Translation 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. Weymouth New Testament For we have not the 'courage' to rank ourselves among, or compare ourselves with, certain persons distinguished by their self-commendation. Yet they are not wise, measuring themselves, as they do, by one another and comparing themselves with one another. World English Bible For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding. Young's Literal Translation For we do not make bold to rank or to compare ourselves with certain of those commending themselves, but they, among themselves measuring themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are not wise, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Paul's Apostolic Authority…11Such people should consider that what we are in our letters when absent, we will be in our actions when present. 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. 13We, however, will not boast beyond our limits, but only within the field of influence that God has assigned to us—a field that reaches even to you.… Cross References Proverbs 27:2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth--a stranger, and not your own lips. 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? 2 Corinthians 10:11 Such people should consider that what we are in our letters when absent, we will be in our actions when present. 2 Corinthians 10:18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. Treasury of Scripture 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. we dare not. 2 Corinthians 3:1 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? 2 Corinthians 5:12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. Job 12:2 No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you. are not wise. Proverbs 26:12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. Jump to Previous Bold Class Commend Compare Comparing Comparison Courage Dare Distinguished Good Intelligent Making Measure Measuring Ourselves Persons Rank Themselves Understanding Venture WiseJump to Next Bold Class Commend Compare Comparing Comparison Courage Dare Distinguished Good Intelligent Making Measure Measuring Ourselves Persons Rank Themselves Understanding Venture Wise2 Corinthians 10 1. Against the false apostles, who disgraced the weakness of his person and bodily presence, 4. he shows the spiritual might and authority with which he was armed against all adverse powers; 7. assuring those who at his coming he will be found as mighty in word as he is now in writing; 12. and encouraging them to reach out themselves beyond their compass. (12) We dare not make ourselves of the number.--The last five words give the meaning of one Greek verb (enkrinai = to insert), the sound of which seems immediately to suggest the cognate verb (synkrinai = to compare). It is, of course, hard to convey the half-playful assonance in English. In "some that commend themselves" we note a reference to the charge of self-commending, which he has already noticed four times (2Corinthians 3:1; 2Corinthians 4:2; 2Corinthians 5:12; 2Corinthians 7:11). Before he had defended himself against the charge; now he retorts it on his opponents. In "we dare" we trace a reference to the charge of cowardice, as in 2Corinthians 10:2. Measuring themselves by themselves.--The Greek MSS. present many various readings, some of the best MSS. omitting "are not wise, but," and some giving "not boasting" for "we will not boast;" and the Greek text, on any reading, presents a grammatical difficulty, arising from the fact that the last word may be either the third person plural of a verb in the indicative present, or a participle in the dative case, agreeing with "themselves." It is hardly necessary to discuss here the various possible constructions rising out of the combination of these phenomena. The English version gives, it is believed, substantially the meaning of the original. In the very act of saying, with a touch of irony, that he will not compare himself with the rival teachers, the Apostle virtually does compare himself. And the point he makes is that they instituted no such comparison. They were their own standards of excellence. Each was "amator sui sine rivali." Collectively, they formed what has been described in the language of modern literary history as a "Mutual Admiration Society." Of all such self-admiration--one might almost say, of all such autolatry--St. Paul declares, what the experience of all ages attests, that they who practise it "are not wise." They lose, as the Greek verb more definitely expresses it, all power of discernment. . . . Verse 12. - We dare not. They are in this respect of self-praise much bolder than I. Make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves; literally, judge ourselves among or judge ourselves with. There is a play on the words, like the Latin, inferre or conferre, or the German, zurechnen oder gleichrechnen. That commend themselves. The verb rendered "commend" is that from which is derived "the commendatory letters" (2 Corinthians 3:1) at the arrogant and intrusive use of which he had glanced already. St. Paul is once more rebutting the charge of self-commendation (2 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Corinthians 5:12; 2 Corinthians 6:11). But they measuring themselves...are not wise. The clause is difficult; for(1) to compare ourselves with others in order to learn what we can and cannot do is usually accounted wise; (2) some manuscripts and editions, omitting οὐ συνιοῦσιν ἡμεῖς δὲ, render, "But we ourselves (αὐτοὶ), measuring ourselves by ourselves, and comparing ourselves with ourselves, will not boast above measure;" (3) some, for συνιοῦσιν (they are not wise) read συνίουσιν (with ourselves, who are not wise). The reading, however, of the Authorized Version is undoubtedly right, and most probably the rendering also. The meaning is that the little cliques of factious religionists, never looking outside their own narrow circles, became inflated with a sense of importance which would have been annihilated if they had looked at higher standards. Hence they thought themselves at liberty to intrude and lay down the law and usurp a claim to infallibility which there was nothing to justify. Such conduct is the reverse of wise. It is a mixture of selfishness, Pharisaism, and conceit, and there have been abundant examples of it among religious parties in all ages. St. Paul, on the other hand, keeps within his own measure, because he has learnt to adopt larger and loftier standards. Greek We do not dareτολμῶμεν (tolmōmen) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural Strong's 5111: To dare, endure, be bold, have courage, make up the mind. From tolma; to venture; by implication, to be courageous. to classify ἐνκρῖναι (enkrinai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Strong's 1469: To count among. From en and krino; to judge in, i.e. Count among. or ἢ (ē) Conjunction Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than. compare συνκρῖναι (synkrinai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Strong's 4793: From sun and krino; to judge of one thing in connection with another, i.e. Combine or collate. ourselves [with] ἑαυτούς (heautous) Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself. some τισιν (tisin) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Dative Masculine Plural Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. who τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. commend συνιστανόντων (synistanontōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 4921: To place together, commend, prove, exhibit; instrans: I stand with; To be composed of, cohere. themselves. ἑαυτοὺς (heautous) Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself. [When] they αὐτοὶ (autoi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. measure μετροῦντες (metrountes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3354: To measure (out), estimate. From metron; to measure; by implication, to admeasure. themselves ἑαυτοὺς (heautous) Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself. by ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. themselves ἑαυτοῖς (heautois) Reflexive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. compare συνκρίνοντες (synkrinontes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 4793: From sun and krino; to judge of one thing in connection with another, i.e. Combine or collate. themselves ἑαυτοὺς (heautous) Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself. with themselves, ἑαυτοῖς (heautois) Reflexive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself. they show their ignorance. συνιᾶσιν (syniasin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 4920: To consider, understand, perceive. From sun and hiemi; to put together, i.e. to comprehend; by implication, to act piously. Links 2 Corinthians 10:12 NIV2 Corinthians 10:12 NLT 2 Corinthians 10:12 ESV 2 Corinthians 10:12 NASB 2 Corinthians 10:12 KJV 2 Corinthians 10:12 BibleApps.com 2 Corinthians 10:12 Biblia Paralela 2 Corinthians 10:12 Chinese Bible 2 Corinthians 10:12 French Bible 2 Corinthians 10:12 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 10:12 For we are not bold to number (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor) |
    |