2 Corinthians 10:8

10:8 For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us¹ for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so.²

2 Corinthians 10:13

10:13 But we will not boast beyond certain limits,³ but will confine our boasting⁴ according to the limits of the work to which God has appointed us,⁵ that reaches even as far as you.

2 Corinthians 10:15

10:15 Nor do we boast beyond certain limits⁶ in the work⁷ done by others, but we hope⁸ that as your faith continues to grow, our work may be greatly expanded⁹ among you according to our limits,¹⁰

2 Corinthians 11:16

Paul’s Sufferings for Christ

11:16 I say again, let no one think that I am a fool.¹¹ But if you do, then at least accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.

2 Corinthians 12:9

12:9 But¹² he said to me, “My grace is enough¹³ for you, for my¹⁴ power is made perfect¹⁵ in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly¹⁶ about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in¹⁷ me.

¹tn The word “us” is not in the Greek text but is supplied. Indirect objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context, and must be supplied for the modern English reader.

²tn Grk “I will not be put to shame,” “I will not be ashamed.” The words “of doing so” are supplied to clarify for the reader that Paul will not be ashamed of boasting somewhat more about the authority the Lord gave him (beginning of v. 8).

³tn Or “boast excessively.” The phrase εἰς τὰ ἄμετρα (ei" ta ametra) is an idiom; literally it means “into that which is not measured,” that is, a point on a scale that goes beyond what might be expected (L&N 78.27).

⁴tn The words “will confine our boasting” are not in the Greek text, but the reference to boasting must be repeated from the previous clause to clarify for the modern reader what is being limited.

⁵tn Grk “according to the measure of the rule which God has apportioned to us as a measure”; for the translation used in the text see L&N 37.100.

⁶tn Or “boast excessively.” The phrase εἰς τὰ ἄμετρα (ei" ta ametra) is an idiom; literally it means “into that which is not measured,” that is, a point on a scale that goes beyond what might be expected (L&N 78.27).

⁷tn Or “in the labors.”

⁸tn Grk “but we have the hope.”

⁹tn Or “greatly enlarged.”

¹⁰tn That is, Paul’s work might be greatly expanded within the area of activity assigned to him by God.

¹¹tn Or “am foolish.”

¹²tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” because of the contrast implicit in the context.

¹³tn Or “is sufficient.”

¹⁴tc The majority of later mss (א² A^c D¹ Ψ 0243 0278 33 1739 1881 Ï) as well as some versional witnesses include the pronoun “my” here, but the omission of the pronoun has excellent external support (Ì^46vid א* A* B D* F G latt). Scribes probably added the pronoun for clarity, making the obvious referent explicit. This would also make “power” more parallel with “my grace.” Though the original text probably did not include “my,” scribes who added the word were following the sense of Paul’s statement.

tn The pronoun “my” was supplied in the translation to clarify the sense of Paul’s expression.

¹⁵tn Or “my power comes to full strength.”

¹⁶tn “Most gladly,” a comparative form used with superlative meaning and translated as such.

¹⁷tn Or “may rest on.”