The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 10:16 Explained

2 Corinthians 10:16

KJV: To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.

YLT: in the places beyond you to proclaim good news, not in another's line in regard to the things made ready, to boast;

Darby: to announce the glad tidings to that which is beyond you, not to be boasting in another's rule of things made ready to hand.

ASV: so as to preach the gospel even unto the parts beyond you, and not to glory in another's province in regard of things ready to our hand.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

To preach the gospel  in  the [regions] beyond  you,  [and] not  to boast  in  another man's  line  of  things made ready to our hand. 

What does 2 Corinthians 10:16 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Corinthians 10:8-18 - Enlarging One's Sphere Of Influence
There is marvelous power in the weakest of men, when governed by a single purpose and filled with the consciousness and the power of God. Weak and contemptible in themselves, they are often the chosen channels through which God pours His living water. Any child could have destroyed Raphael's brush, but in his hand it painted immortal pictures. Incidentally the Apostle remarks that some who criticized him bore themselves proudly, because their standard was so low. A five-foot man thinks himself tall when he compares himself with a dwarf! Always compare what is worst in yourself with what is best in others, and you will be kept humble.
Paul was always pressing outward to the fields that lay beyond. These were vast unoccupied regions, which he coveted to count as provinces in the Kingdom of Christ. This is the supreme test of a man. It is comparatively easy to build on foundations laid by another Christian worker, and to win away his converts. Such conduct is mean and cowardly. Open up new ground and show the stuff that's in you. The Apostle was justified in making these affirmations, but he did so in the meekness and gentleness of Christ. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 10

1  Against the false apostles, who disgraced the weakness of his person and bodily presence,
4  he shows the spiritual might and authority with which he was armed against all adverse powers;
7  assuring those who at his coming he will be found as mighty in word as he is now in writing;
12  and encouraging them to reach out themselves beyond their compass

Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 10:16

Even unto the parts beyond you [εις τα υπερεκεινα υμων]
Compound adverb (υπερ εκεινα — huperτα ετοιμα — ekeina beyond those places) used as preposition. Found only here and in ecclesiastical writers. [source]
Things ready to our hand [ta hetoima)]
He had a plenty besides that he could use. [source]
In another man's line [ἐν ἀλλοτρίῳ κανόνι]
Line is the word previously rendered rule. He will not boast within the line drawn for another; in another's field of activity. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 10:16

Acts 12:16 When they had opened [ανοιχαντες]
First aorist active participle of ανοιγω — anoigō or νυμι — ̇numi The whole group rushed out to the courtyard this time to make sure. They were amazed (εχεστησαν — exestēsan). The frequent second aorist active (intransitive) indicative of εχιστημι — existēmi Acts 12:17 There were probably loud exclamations of astonishment and joy. Beckoning with the hand First aorist active participle of kataseiō old verb to signal or shake down with the hand (instrumental case cheiri). In the N.T. only in Acts 12:17; Acts 13:16; Acts 19:33; Acts 21:40. The speaker indicates by a downward movement of the hand his desire for silence (to hold their peace, sigāin present active infinitive, to keep silent). Peter was anxious for every precaution and he wanted their instant attention. Declared (diēgēsato). First aorist middle of diēgeomai old verb to carry through a narrative, give a full story. See also Acts 9:27 of Barnabas in his defence of Saul. Peter told them the wonderful story. Unto James and the brethren Dative case after apaggeilate (first aorist active imperative). Evidently “James and the brethren” were not at this meeting, probably meeting elsewhere. There was no place where all the thousands of disciples in Jerusalem could meet. This gathering in the house of Mary may have been of women only or a meeting of the Hellenists. It is plain that this James the Lord‘s brother, is now the leading presbyter or elder in Jerusalem though there were a number (Acts 11:30; Acts 21:18). Paul even terms him apostle (Galatians 1:19), though certainly not one of the twelve. The twelve apostles probably were engaged elsewhere in mission work save James now dead (Acts 12:2) and Peter. The leadership of James is here recognized by Peter and is due, partly to the absence of the twelve, but mainly to his own force of character. He will preside over the Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15:13). To another place (eis heteron topon). Probably Luke did not know the place and certainly it was prudent for Peter to conceal it from Herod Agrippa. Probably Peter left the city. He is back in Jerusalem at the Conference a few years later (Acts 15:7) and after the death of Herod Agrippa. Whether Peter went to Rome during these years we do not know. He was recognized later as the apostle to the circumcision (Galatians 2:7; 1 Peter 1:1) and apparently was in Rome with John Mark when he wrote the First Epistle (1 Peter 5:13), unless it is the real Babylon. But, even if Peter went to Rome during this early period, there is no evidence that he founded the church there. If he had done so, in the light of 2 Corinthians 10:16 it would be strange that Paul had not mentioned it in writing to Rome, for he was anxious not to build on another man‘s foundation (Romans 15:20). Paul felt sure that he himself had a work to do in Rome. Unfortunately Luke has not followed the ministry of Peter after this period as he does Paul (appearing again only in chapter Acts 15). If Peter really left Jerusalem at this time instead of hiding in the city, he probably did some mission work as Paul says that he did (1 Corinthians 9:5). [source]
Acts 12:16 Beckoning with the hand [kataseisas tēi cheiri)]
First aorist active participle of kataseiō old verb to signal or shake down with the hand (instrumental case cheiri). In the N.T. only in Acts 12:17; Acts 13:16; Acts 19:33; Acts 21:40. The speaker indicates by a downward movement of the hand his desire for silence (to hold their peace, sigāin present active infinitive, to keep silent). Peter was anxious for every precaution and he wanted their instant attention. Declared (diēgēsato). First aorist middle of diēgeomai old verb to carry through a narrative, give a full story. See also Acts 9:27 of Barnabas in his defence of Saul. Peter told them the wonderful story. Unto James and the brethren Dative case after apaggeilate (first aorist active imperative). Evidently “James and the brethren” were not at this meeting, probably meeting elsewhere. There was no place where all the thousands of disciples in Jerusalem could meet. This gathering in the house of Mary may have been of women only or a meeting of the Hellenists. It is plain that this James the Lord‘s brother, is now the leading presbyter or elder in Jerusalem though there were a number (Acts 11:30; Acts 21:18). Paul even terms him apostle (Galatians 1:19), though certainly not one of the twelve. The twelve apostles probably were engaged elsewhere in mission work save James now dead (Acts 12:2) and Peter. The leadership of James is here recognized by Peter and is due, partly to the absence of the twelve, but mainly to his own force of character. He will preside over the Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15:13). To another place (eis heteron topon). Probably Luke did not know the place and certainly it was prudent for Peter to conceal it from Herod Agrippa. Probably Peter left the city. He is back in Jerusalem at the Conference a few years later (Acts 15:7) and after the death of Herod Agrippa. Whether Peter went to Rome during these years we do not know. He was recognized later as the apostle to the circumcision (Galatians 2:7; 1 Peter 1:1) and apparently was in Rome with John Mark when he wrote the First Epistle (1 Peter 5:13), unless it is the real Babylon. But, even if Peter went to Rome during this early period, there is no evidence that he founded the church there. If he had done so, in the light of 2 Corinthians 10:16 it would be strange that Paul had not mentioned it in writing to Rome, for he was anxious not to build on another man‘s foundation (Romans 15:20). Paul felt sure that he himself had a work to do in Rome. Unfortunately Luke has not followed the ministry of Peter after this period as he does Paul (appearing again only in chapter Acts 15). If Peter really left Jerusalem at this time instead of hiding in the city, he probably did some mission work as Paul says that he did (1 Corinthians 9:5). [source]
Acts 12:16 Unto James and the brethren [Iakōbōi kai tois adelphois)]
Dative case after apaggeilate (first aorist active imperative). Evidently “James and the brethren” were not at this meeting, probably meeting elsewhere. There was no place where all the thousands of disciples in Jerusalem could meet. This gathering in the house of Mary may have been of women only or a meeting of the Hellenists. It is plain that this James the Lord‘s brother, is now the leading presbyter or elder in Jerusalem though there were a number (Acts 11:30; Acts 21:18). Paul even terms him apostle (Galatians 1:19), though certainly not one of the twelve. The twelve apostles probably were engaged elsewhere in mission work save James now dead (Acts 12:2) and Peter. The leadership of James is here recognized by Peter and is due, partly to the absence of the twelve, but mainly to his own force of character. He will preside over the Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15:13). To another place (eis heteron topon). Probably Luke did not know the place and certainly it was prudent for Peter to conceal it from Herod Agrippa. Probably Peter left the city. He is back in Jerusalem at the Conference a few years later (Acts 15:7) and after the death of Herod Agrippa. Whether Peter went to Rome during these years we do not know. He was recognized later as the apostle to the circumcision (Galatians 2:7; 1 Peter 1:1) and apparently was in Rome with John Mark when he wrote the First Epistle (1 Peter 5:13), unless it is the real Babylon. But, even if Peter went to Rome during this early period, there is no evidence that he founded the church there. If he had done so, in the light of 2 Corinthians 10:16 it would be strange that Paul had not mentioned it in writing to Rome, for he was anxious not to build on another man‘s foundation (Romans 15:20). Paul felt sure that he himself had a work to do in Rome. Unfortunately Luke has not followed the ministry of Peter after this period as he does Paul (appearing again only in chapter Acts 15). If Peter really left Jerusalem at this time instead of hiding in the city, he probably did some mission work as Paul says that he did (1 Corinthians 9:5). [source]
Acts 12:16 To another place [eis heteron topon)]
Probably Luke did not know the place and certainly it was prudent for Peter to conceal it from Herod Agrippa. Probably Peter left the city. He is back in Jerusalem at the Conference a few years later (Acts 15:7) and after the death of Herod Agrippa. Whether Peter went to Rome during these years we do not know. He was recognized later as the apostle to the circumcision (Galatians 2:7; 1 Peter 1:1) and apparently was in Rome with John Mark when he wrote the First Epistle (1 Peter 5:13), unless it is the real Babylon. But, even if Peter went to Rome during this early period, there is no evidence that he founded the church there. If he had done so, in the light of 2 Corinthians 10:16 it would be strange that Paul had not mentioned it in writing to Rome, for he was anxious not to build on another man‘s foundation (Romans 15:20). Paul felt sure that he himself had a work to do in Rome. Unfortunately Luke has not followed the ministry of Peter after this period as he does Paul (appearing again only in chapter Acts 15). If Peter really left Jerusalem at this time instead of hiding in the city, he probably did some mission work as Paul says that he did (1 Corinthians 9:5). [source]
2 Corinthians 10:13 Of the province [του κανονος]
Old word Only twice in N.T., here (also 2 Corinthians 10:15, 2 Corinthians 10:16) and Galatians 6:16 (rule to walk by). To reach even unto you (επικεσται αχρι και υμων — ephikesthai achri kai humōn). Second aorist middle infinitive of επικνεομαι — ephikneomai old verb, only here and 2 Corinthians 10:14 in N.T. Paul‘s measuring-rod extends to Corinth. [source]
Galatians 6:16 Rule [κανόνι]
PoSee on 2 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Corinthians 10:16. Emphasis on rule not this. [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 10:16 mean?

so as that beyond you to preach the gospel not in another’s area in things ready to boast
εἰς τὰ ὑπερέκεινα ὑμῶν εὐαγγελίσασθαι οὐκ ἐν ἀλλοτρίῳ κανόνι εἰς τὰ ἕτοιμα καυχήσασθαι

εἰς  so  as 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
τὰ  that 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ὑπερέκεινα  beyond 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ὑπερέκεινα  
Sense: beyond: the regions lying beyond the country of one’s residence.
εὐαγγελίσασθαι  to  preach  the  gospel 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Middle
Root: εὐαγγελίζω  
Sense: to bring good news, to announce glad tidings.
ἀλλοτρίῳ  another’s 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀλλότριος  
Sense: belonging to another.
κανόνι  area 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: κανών  
Sense: a rod or straight piece of rounded wood to which any thing is fastened to keep it straight.
τὰ  things 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἕτοιμα  ready 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: ἕτοιμος  
Sense: prepare ready.
καυχήσασθαι  to  boast 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Middle
Root: καυχάομαι  
Sense: to glory (whether with reason or without).

What are the major concepts related to 2 Corinthians 10:16?

Loading Information...