Verse Lens · Expanded explanation
2 Corinthians 10:15 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 15. 15Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
This verse refuses boasting in others' labor and hopes Corinth's growing faith enlarges further mission.
Boast only in the field where the gospel actually arrived, and let the Lord do the approving.
This verse is one part of that explanation in 2 Corinthians 10:13–18. The complete section carries the connected meaning and how it should shape life.
Read It With
- 2 Corinthians 10:13–18
Read 2 Corinthians 10:15 with 10:13–18. This verse refuses boasting in others' labor and hopes Corinth's growing faith enlarges further mission. The complete unit establishes this movement: Paul confines boasting to the field in which the gospel actually reached Corinth, refuses credit for others' labor, hopes for further mission as Corinth's faith grows, and submits all commendation to the Lord.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The unit sets limits on apostolic boasting before Paul imitates opponents' boasting ironically. Within that movement, this verse refuses boasting in others' labor and hopes Corinth's growing faith enlarges further mission.
Follow the Context
- Paul refuses boast without measure.
- The assigned field reached Corinth through the gospel.
- He does not claim others' labor.
- Growing Corinthian faith may support mission beyond.
- Boasting belongs in the Lord.
- Self-commendation is displaced by the Lord's approval.
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s”
In plain language: Mission growth should credit prior work and depend on maturing partnership.
refuses boasting in others' labor and hopes Corinth's growing faith enlarges further mission. Mission growth should credit prior work and depend on maturing partnership.
Why it matters: The wording carries interpretive or ethical risk that requires the full unit and its stated limits.
How certain? strongWhat This Verse Is Not Saying
The verse does not justify brand competition or erasing local leadership.
What Remains True
Mission growth should credit prior work and depend on maturing partnership.
How It Can Shape Life
- Name collaborators and avoid claiming outcomes you did not produce.
Teach It Back
Explain how 2 Corinthians 10:15 contributes to 2 Corinthians 10:13–18. Include what the surrounding verses add, the stated uncertainty, and what this verse does not authorize.
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Continue in Context
Read the complete section for the connected explanation and how it should shape life. This verse is a doorway into that passage, not a saying that stands alone.
Read 2 Corinthians 10:13–18 — Boasting Stays Within God's Field and Ends in the Lord's ApprovalSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? strong
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact reader-facing Scripture wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.
Exact location: 2 Corinthians 10:13–18, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, repeated terms, and original-language discussion.
Exact location: SBLGNT official text file 2Co.txt, 10:13–18
Open the 2 Corinthians Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible - 2 Corinthians with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005-2026 online edition
Supports: Verse-level Greek, syntax, KJV-era wording, textual variants, and interpretive alternatives.
Exact location: NET Bible 2 Corinthians chapter print views, 10:13–18, including attached translator, study, and textual notes
Open NET 2 Corinthians 10 notesmodern open commentary
2 Corinthians
Peter Balla
The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary, 2023
Supports: Whole-letter setting, literary movement, Greek observations, and passage-level evangelical interpretation.
Exact location: Balla, TGC Bible Commentary, 2 Corinthians, introduction and section on 10:13–18
Open source ↗modern annotated new testament
2 Corinthians introduction and annotations in The Jewish Annotated New Testament
Alan J. Avery-Peck; edited by Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler
Oxford University Press, 2011
Supports: Jewish and Greco-Roman context, scriptural echoes, composition questions, and concise verse-level alternatives.
Exact location: Avery-Peck, Jewish Annotated New Testament, print pp. 315–331, introduction and annotations on 10:13–18
Open source ↗peer reviewed open access social scientific study
The Social Construction of Paul's Apostolic Leadership in Corinth
Jack Barentsen
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies 74.4, 2018
Supports: Social-scientific analysis of negotiated authority, community response, suffering, patronage, collection, and unity claims.
Exact location: Barentsen, 'The Social Construction of Paul's Apostolic Leadership in Corinth,' HTS 74.4 (2018), article a5191, pp. 1–13
Open source ↗Lexical and grammatical evidence
STEP Bible Data
Tyndale House Cambridge
Tyndale House Cambridge, repository snapshot verified 2026
Supports: Independent morphology, form, and lexical-range cross-check for material Greek claims.
Exact location: STEP Bible Data repository, Greek morphology and lexical records for 2 Corinthians 10:13–18
Open source ↗