“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” (2 Corinthians 10:13). There must have been a problem, in Corinth, of people comparing Paul with other people. The context of 2 Corinthians bears this out; “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 3:1). Also, “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” (2 Corinthians 5:12).
Paul for some reason was not measuring up to some standard that others had set. Maybe he was not as handsome as some thought he ought to be. Maybe he was not eloquent as some thought he ought to be. Maybe he was not as powerful in words as some thought he ought to be. Maybe he was not writing as powerful as some thought he ought to. With whom are these “some” comparing Paul to? Who set up the standard by which Paul was to be measured? Who sets the standard for any man’s work? We must be careful when we set up a standard and request that all meet this goal. Paul said “if we compare ourselves with ourselves we are not wise” (2 Corinthians 10:13). Let us study and understand some areas where it would not be wise to set up a standard and then demand everybody to meet that standard.
First, we must understand that we are not the Judge of all people. We do not have the insight into all the problems a person faces nor do we have the presence in everyone’s life to make the rules by which everyone must abide. Do you know what other people are doing? Do you know how other people feel? Do you know everything about everybody? Do you know the background of everyone that you meet? Do you know the education of everyone you meet? If not then we cannot judge others. What “some” have done is set up a false standard that they expect others to meet. One wonders with this false standard could they measure up. In the case with Paul at Corinth, with who were these people comparing him to? It would be interesting if we knew the other party. It would be interesting if we knew all about the standard with which they were measuring.
Second, who can set up the measure of success? Was it the number of baptisms? How many had Paul baptized? It was not many for that is what he says in the first book that we have, “I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name” (1 Corinthians 1:14-15). While Paul may not have literally baptized many personally, how many have been, throughout the years been baptized by Paul’s preaching? The next verse tells Paul mission, “For Christ sent me not to baptized, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect” (1 Corinthians 1:17). How many people made up the church at Corinth, yet Paul only baptized two? Not very successful was he? One wonders what God thinks about Paul’s success? Whose standard are we using; God’s or a person who says that a good preacher must baptize so many within in a year? It would be interesting to know how many people were baptized by those who were imposing numbers of baptisms upon Paul. Is this comparing ourselves with ourselves? Will we not be judged by the same standard we set for others (Matthew 7:1-5)?
Thirdly, Paul was not necessarily their style of preacher. Maybe Paul stuttered that may have been the problem. It might be that Paul used too many scriptures in his sermons! Consider his writing, how many times are the scriptures referred to? When Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 10 notice how many scriptures are mentioned? He does not give book, chapter, and verse but in ten verses there are at least six different scripture references! Paul, what are you thinking using that many scriptures to teach God’s truth! Where did Paul get that idea of using so many scriptures? Let us see if we can find out. Paul said, “All scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Peter said that Paul wrote scripture, “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also other scriptures, unto their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:15-16). Since all scripture is given from the breath of God and what Paul wrote was scriptures and therefore Paul was guided by the Holy Ghost. It was the Holy Ghost who told Paul what to write and who then can condemn him for using so many scriptures? With whom are we comparing Paul’s lessons to? Is it or could it be what we want rather than what we need to hear?
Fourthly, Paul was not their type of preacher. Paul may not have worn the clothes that “some” thought was necessary of a preacher. His clothes may have been made out of the tent material. He was a tentmaker. He knew where to get that kind of material. He knew how to sew that kind of material. But he did not look like what “some” thought a preacher ought to look like. How is a preacher to look? How old is a preacher supposed to be? Do we want a 25 year old preacher with 50 years’ experience? It would be interesting to take a censes of a congregation to know what a preacher is supposed to look like.
If we compare ourselves with ourselves none of us would make it. Let us let God judge and make the standard. Let us measure up to His standard.
