10:12 What is the teaching underlying what Paul says here?
10:12 What is the teaching underlying what Paul says here?
The underlying teaching here is that believers must never compare themselves with one another or engage in self-promotion.
Those who do are without proper understanding of God's will. Our only concern should be what Jesus thinks of us (CP V18; 1Cor 4:4-5, 7; 2Cor 1:12; 2Ti 2:15 with 2Cor 5:9-10).
Self commendation is both meaningless and foolish; the only true, meaningful commendation comes from God (CP Pr 25:27; 27:2; Jn 5:44; Ro 2:29; 1Th 2:4). Believers must also be content to stay within the bounds of their ministry (CP Ro 12:1-3 with 2Cor 10:13-15).
See also comments on Mt 23:8-12 and Ro 12:3, and author's study Jesus not Peter the Rock upon which the Church is Built in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 2).