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"Within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us-"

Text: 2 Corinthians 10:13

RECOGNISING LIMITATIONS

Paul exercised much wisdom and discernment in life and ministry. He recognised the limitations of authority given to him.

“We, however, will not boast beyond measure,
but within the limits of the sphere which God
appointed us- a sphere which especially includes you.
For we are not overextending ourselves
(as though our authority did not extend to you),
for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:13-14

1. “We, however, will not boast beyond measure”

a) The word “boast” is sometimes translated as “glorying” (1 Corinthians 5:6).

b) Nuances to note

i) Rejoicing

ii) Being happy and proud (but not in the negative sense of “pride”)

c) Paul and his fellow-workers had every reason to glory in the work they had done.

2. “Within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us”

a) There were two broad fields of ministry in the first century.

i) The Jewish ministry (Associated with Peter, James etc)

ii) The Gentile ministry (Associated with Paul and his fellow-workers)

b) The sphere which God appointed us.

i) The Gentile ministry in general.

ii) The churches Paul founded in particular.

3. “We are not overextending ourselves”

a) Paul was the founder of the Corinthian church (Acts 18).

b) He and his fellow-workers laboured hard to plant a church in Corinth.

c) Thus, his authority included the Corinthian Church.

d) Unfortunately, Paul’s authority was challenged by his detractors.

4. “For it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ”

a) Paul recalled how he came to Corinth with the gospel of Christ.

b) He had departed from Athens to minister in Corinth.

c) The people involved in the founding of the Corinthian church included Aquila, Priscilla, Silas and Timothy (Acts 18:1-5). There was strong opposition from the unbelieving Jews even as they began ministry in Corinth!