2 Corinthians 10:12
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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.
Literal Translations
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,

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.

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,

Smith's Literal Translation
For we dare not appear or join ourselves to certain of them recommending themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and joining themselves to themselves, do not understand.
Catholic Translations
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For we would not dare to interpose or compare ourselves with certain ones who commend themselves. But we measure ourselves by ourselves, and we compare ourselves with ourselves.

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.

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.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For we dare not count or compare ourselves with those who are proud of themselves; for it is because they measure themselves by themselves that they do not understand.

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.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For we do not presume to rank or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves: but they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, have no understanding.

Godbey New Testament
For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with certain ones of those who recommend themselves: but they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves to themselves, are not wise.

Haweis New Testament
For we will not presume to put ourselves on the level, or compare ourselves with some who vaunt themselves; but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, have no understanding.

Mace New Testament
for I dare not rank or compare my self with some who vaunt themselves: but they making their self-conceit the only standard whereby to judge of themselves, show their want of judgment.

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.

Worrell New Testament
For we are not bold to judge ourselves among, or to compare ourselves with, some of those who commend themselves; but they measuring themselves among themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.

Worsley New Testament
For we presume not to number, or compare ourselves with some who recommend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are void of understanding.

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
Galatians 6:4
Each one should test his own work. Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else.

Romans 12:3
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.

Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.

1 Corinthians 4:3-4
I care very little, however, if I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. / My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me.

1 Corinthians 3:18
Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.

Proverbs 27:2
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips.

Luke 18:11-12
The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. / I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’

Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

James 4:6
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Proverbs 26:12
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 25:27
It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.

Isaiah 5:21
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.

Jeremiah 9:23-24
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. / But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.


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.

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Bold Class Commend Compare Comparing Comparison Courage Dare Distinguished Good Intelligent Making Measure Measuring Ourselves Persons Rank Themselves Understanding Venture Wise
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Bold Class Commend Compare Comparing Comparison Courage Dare Distinguished Good Intelligent Making Measure Measuring Ourselves Persons Rank Themselves Understanding Venture Wise
2 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.














We do not dare
The phrase "We do not dare" reflects a conscious decision by Paul to avoid a certain behavior. The Greek word for "dare" (τολμῶμεν, tolmōmen) implies boldness or courage, but here it is used to express a refusal to engage in a particular action. Paul is emphasizing humility and wisdom, choosing not to engage in self-promotion or comparison, which is a common temptation in human nature. This sets a standard for Christian conduct, urging believers to seek approval from God rather than from human comparisons.

to classify or compare ourselves
The act of classifying or comparing oneself with others is a common human tendency, often leading to pride or discouragement. The Greek words used here, "κρίνειν" (krinein) for classify and "συνκρίνειν" (synkrinein) for compare, suggest a judgment or evaluation. Paul warns against this behavior, as it can lead to a false sense of superiority or inferiority. In a Christian context, our identity and worth should be rooted in Christ, not in how we measure up to others.

with some who commend themselves
Paul refers to individuals who "commend themselves," highlighting a self-congratulatory attitude. The Greek word "συνιστάντες" (synistantes) means to recommend or approve oneself. This self-commendation is contrasted with seeking approval from God. Historically, this reflects the behavior of certain leaders in the Corinthian church who boasted of their own achievements. Paul’s critique serves as a reminder that true commendation comes from God, not self-promotion.

When they measure themselves by themselves
This phrase illustrates the futility of self-referential standards. The Greek word "μετροῦντες" (metrountes) means to measure, and it implies using oneself as the standard of measurement. This is inherently flawed, as it lacks an objective basis. In the Christian life, the standard is Christ, and measuring ourselves by any other standard is misguided. This calls believers to seek divine rather than human standards.

and compare themselves with themselves
The repetition of the concept of self-comparison underscores its absurdity. The Greek "συγκρίνοντες" (synkrinontes) again emphasizes comparison, but here it is a redundant and circular process. This behavior is criticized because it leads to a distorted self-view. Christians are encouraged to look to Christ and His teachings as the benchmark for their lives, rather than engaging in self-referential comparisons.

they show their ignorance
The conclusion of the verse, "they show their ignorance," is a strong rebuke. The Greek word "ἀσύνετοι" (asynetoi) means lacking understanding or foolish. Paul is pointing out that those who engage in self-commendation and self-comparison are missing the point of the Gospel, which calls for humility and reliance on God’s grace. This serves as a powerful reminder that true wisdom and understanding come from God, and that human pride and self-reliance are ultimately foolish.

(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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
We do not dare
τολμῶμεν (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
(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.


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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 10:12 For we are not bold to number (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)
2 Corinthians 10:11
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