Lexical Summary egkrinó: To approve, to admit, to accept Original Word: ἐγκρίνω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance classifyFrom en and krino; to judge in, i.e. Count among -- make of the number. see GREEK en see GREEK krino NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom en and krinó Definition to judge in, to reckon among NASB Translation class (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1469: ἐγκρίνωἐγκρίνω (T WH ἐνκρίνω, see ἐν, III. 3): (1 aorist ἐνεκρινα); to reckon among, judge among: τινα τίνι, to judge one worthy of being admitted to a certain class (A. V. to number with), 2 Corinthians 10:12. (From Xenophon, and Plato down.) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 1469 expresses the act of placing oneself or others “within a class,” the mental sorting that ranks people by self-made standards. In Scripture it appears once, in 2 Corinthians 10:12, where Paul exposes the folly of ministers who evaluate themselves by their own yardsticks rather than by God’s approval. Scriptural Context: 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 lack understanding.” Paul is defending his apostolic calling against traveling teachers who parade letters of recommendation and boast in visible accomplishments (2 Corinthians 3:1; 2 Corinthians 11:18). By using ἐνκρῖναι he highlights three errors: 1. Creating artificial categories of worth. Theological Themes • God, not man, is the final arbiter of ministry value (1 Corinthians 4:4-5). Historical Background Greco-Roman culture prized honor, status, and rhetorical showmanship. Traveling orators circulated with letters of commendation; patrons ranked clients for political gain. Corinth, a commercial crossroads, absorbed these values. Paul refuses to play that game, reminding the church that apostolic authority rests on divine commissioning and sacrificial service, not on polished résumés or peer networks. Practical Ministry Implications 1. Credentialism. Modern churches can repeat Corinth’s error by elevating charisma, platforms, or educational pedigree above character and faithfulness. Illustrative Cross-References • Luke 18:11-14 – The Pharisee’s self-comparison contrasted with the tax collector’s humility. Application for Believers Today Believers guard against the subtle pull to rank themselves by appearance, influence, or achievement. Elders and pastors resist building ministries on personal brand; lay members resist envy or disdain. Instead, each seeks to steward God-given gifts for the common good, trusting that “it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends” (2 Corinthians 10:18). Forms and Transliterations εγκρίναι ἐγκρῖναι εγκρίς εγκρούσης ενέκρουσε ενκριναι ἐνκρῖναι enkrinai en'krînaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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