2 Corinthians 10:13

Without our measure. Or, “beyond the limit,” that is, the limit of right and propriety marked out by God — the measure of the rule which God has distributed to us. Paul’s opponents had no standard by which to measure themselves except themselves. They had, as it were, no way to lift themselves but by their own bootstraps. The word “we” is emphatic in the Greek, and stresses the great difference between Paul and his fellow workers on the one hand and the self-commending Judaizers on the other. Paul recognizes a fixed limit to his authority, sphere of activity, and vigor of conduct (see Gal. 2:7-9). Beyond this divinely appointed limit he does not dare to go.

Paul’s special sphere of labor was among the Gentiles (Acts 26:17, 18; Gal. 2:7-9).

He began at Antioch and reached out to the farthest bounds of the Gentile world. At the time he wrote, Corinth marked the farthest extent of his labors. The false apostles at Corinth recognized no limitation on their activities. Their very presence and assumption of authority was sufficient to condemn them. They had pursued Paul from Jerusalem to Antioch, to Galatia, and now to Corinth, seeking to undo his work, claiming credit for what he had done, and boasting as though his achievements were their own.

Paul had every right to the loyalty of the Corinthians; these false apostles had none. God had assigned him to the work at Corinth (Acts 18:8-10). God had not sent them to Corinth, and there was only one other source from which they could have received their commission (2 Cor. 11:3), yet here they were. The apostle did not take credit to himself for the success of other men.