2 Corinthians 10:17

Translation
King James Version
But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
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KJV (with Strong's)
But G1161 he that glorieth G2744, let him glory G2744 in G1722 the Lord G2962.
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Complete Jewish Bible
So, let anyone who wants to boast, boast about Adonai;
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Berean Standard Bible
Rather, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
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American Standard Version
But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
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World English Bible Messianic
But “he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”
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Geneva Bible (1599)
But let him that reioyceth, reioyce in the Lord.
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Young's Literal Translation
and he who is boasting--in the Lord let him boast;
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See also
Jeremiah 9:23Jeremiah 9:241 Corinthians 1:31James 1:9James 1:10Isaiah 65:16Jeremiah 4:2
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In the KJVVerse 28,989 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

2 Corinthians 10:17 presents a foundational principle for Christian life and ministry, emphatically redirecting the object of all boasting and exaltation from human accomplishments and self-promotion to God alone. In this concise declaration, the Apostle Paul calls believers to a profound humility, asserting that all true worth, authority, and success are derived solely from the Lord, thereby ensuring that divine sovereignty receives its rightful recognition and praise.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: This verse is situated within a critical section of Paul's Second Epistle to the Corinthians (chapters 10-13) where he vigorously defends his apostolic authority and ministry against severe challenges from false apostles and critics within the Corinthian church. These opponents likely boasted in their own human credentials, rhetorical prowess, and worldly wisdom, contrasting themselves with Paul's humble demeanor and apparent lack of impressive outward appearance. Paul initiates his defense by contrasting their carnal methods with the spiritual nature of his own "weapons of our warfare," which are "not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds" 2 Corinthians 10:4. He further addresses the issue of self-comparison, stating that "they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise" 2 Corinthians 10:12. His own boasting, he clarifies, is "according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us" 2 Corinthians 10:13, emphasizing divine appointment and sphere of ministry rather than self-aggrandizement. Thus, 2 Corinthians 10:17 serves as the culminating corrective, redirecting all legitimate boasting to its proper divine object.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: Corinth was a prominent, wealthy, and cosmopolitan city, characterized by its intellectualism, diverse religious practices, and a strong emphasis on rhetoric and public reputation. In this environment, skilled orators and philosophers were highly esteemed, and personal status was often tied to one's ability to persuade and impress. The false teachers challenging Paul in Corinth likely leveraged these cultural values, boasting in their eloquence, letters of recommendation, and perhaps even their Jewish heritage or perceived spiritual superiority. Paul, in stark contrast, often highlighted his weaknesses, sufferings, and lack of impressive speech (e.g., 2 Corinthians 11:23-29). His call to "glory in the Lord" was a radical counter-cultural statement, challenging the prevailing values of self-exaltation and human achievement that permeated Corinthian society and had infiltrated the church.
  • Key Themes:
    • Authentic Authority: Paul's defense of his apostleship is not rooted in human credentials or worldly wisdom, but in God's call and divine empowerment. This verse establishes that true authority and validation come solely from God, not from human approval or self-promotion. It powerfully reinforces the theme of divine enablement over human strength, aligning with Paul's later declaration that God's strength is made perfect in weakness, a concept central to his understanding of ministry.
    • Humility vs. Pride: The Corinthian church struggled with issues of pride, division, and a worldly mindset, as evidenced throughout 1 Corinthians 1-4. Paul consistently champions humility as a foundational Christian virtue, directly contrasting it with the self-exalting pride prevalent in their culture and among his opponents. This principle resonates with the broader biblical truth that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, underscoring the necessity of a humble posture before God.
    • Divine Sovereignty and Glory: The verse emphatically underscores that God is the ultimate source of all good and the sole recipient of all glory. It fundamentally shifts the focus from human achievement to divine action, reinforcing the profound biblical truth that all things are from Him and through Him and to Him. This foundational theological principle is central to Paul's understanding of God's work in salvation, sanctification, and the entire scope of creation, demanding that all praise be directed to His name alone.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • But (Greek, dé', G1161): A primary particle, often functioning adversatively or continuatively. Here, it introduces a sharp contrast, setting up a clear distinction between the worldly, self-focused boasting Paul has been criticizing and the proper, God-centered object of glory. It signals a pivotal shift in perspective from human-centric pride to divine-centric praise.
  • glorieth (Greek, kaucháomai', G2744): This verb means to boast, glory, exult, or vaunt oneself. While it can carry a negative connotation when directed towards self or worldly things, its meaning is transformed and sanctified by its specified object. When one "glorieth in the Lord," it signifies a legitimate and righteous confidence, a joyful and humble exultation in God's character, power, and provision, rather than in one's own perceived achievements or abilities.
  • Lord (Greek, kýrios', G2962): Signifies supreme authority and control; Master. In the New Testament, Kyrios is frequently used as a title for Jesus Christ, indicating His divine sovereignty, ultimate authority, and status as the one to whom all honor and worship are due. To "glory in the Lord" therefore means to find one's ultimate identity, security, and source of praise in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

Verse Breakdown

  • "But he that glorieth": This initial clause introduces the subject of boasting, establishing a clear contrast with the self-referential and worldly boasting that Paul has addressed. It refers to anyone who seeks a source of pride, confidence, commendation, or ultimate identity.
  • "let him glory in the Lord": This imperative clause directs the proper and exclusive object of such boasting. Instead of finding one's confidence or praise in human credentials, achievements, worldly wisdom, or personal attributes, the believer is commanded to find their ultimate source of confidence, joy, and praise in God Himself. This phrase emphasizes that all true, legitimate, and righteous boasting must be unequivocally God-centered, acknowledging His sovereignty, power, and grace as the ultimate source of all good and the sole deserving recipient of all honor.

Literary Devices

Paul employs several literary devices to convey the profound truth of 2 Corinthians 10:17. The most prominent is allusion to Jeremiah 9:24, where the prophet declares, "But let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD." By echoing this Old Testament passage, Paul grounds his argument in established biblical wisdom, demonstrating a powerful continuity between the Old and New Covenants regarding the proper object of praise. This allusion lends significant weight and divine authority to his instruction. The verse also utilizes antithesis by implicitly contrasting worldly, self-centered boasting (which Paul has just critiqued) with God-centered glorying, highlighting the fundamental difference between human pride and divine humility. Finally, the use of the imperative "let him glory" functions as a direct command or strong exhortation, underscoring the non-negotiable and foundational nature of this principle for Christian conduct and identity.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

This verse stands as a cornerstone of biblical theology, articulating the fundamental truth that all glory belongs to God alone. It serves as a profound corrective to humanity's inherent tendency towards self-exaltation and pride, unequivocally redirecting the focus from human accomplishment to divine sovereignty. The principle of "glorying in the Lord" underscores the radical dependence of believers on God for all things – salvation, strength, wisdom, and purpose. It is a theological statement on the source of true worth and validation, asserting that these are found not in what we do or achieve, but in who God is and what He has done. This concept is deeply intertwined with the biblical emphasis on God's holiness and His rightful claim to all praise, ensuring that He, and not humanity, receives ultimate honor for every good work and every spiritual blessing.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

In a world that relentlessly encourages self-promotion, personal branding, and the pursuit of individual recognition, 2 Corinthians 10:17 provides a profound and counter-cultural mandate for the believer. It challenges us to critically examine the true source of our confidence and the ultimate object of our praise. Do we find our security, identity, and joy primarily in our achievements, our reputation, our material possessions, or our inherent abilities? Or do we genuinely root our worth and confidence in the Lord, acknowledging that every good and perfect gift comes from Him? This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of radical humility, understanding that any strength we possess, any wisdom we gain, and any positive impact we make is ultimately a manifestation of God's grace working through us. It invites us to shift our perspective from a performance-driven mindset to one of grateful dependence, where our primary aim is to magnify God's name, not our own. When we truly glory in the Lord, our lives become living testimonies to His greatness, rather than monuments to our own efforts, fostering a deeper sense of peace, purpose, and spiritual freedom.

Questions for Reflection

  • What are the primary things I tend to boast in or draw my confidence from in my daily life, apart from God?
  • How does shifting my focus from self-glory to glorying in the Lord change my perspective on success, failure, and personal identity?
  • In what practical ways can I intentionally redirect praise and credit back to God in my conversations, work, and ministry, especially when I am tempted to take credit myself?

FAQ

Why is Paul so concerned about "boasting" in this letter?

Answer: Paul's concern stems from the specific challenges he faced in Corinth. False teachers were boasting in their human credentials, rhetorical skills, and worldly wisdom, often contrasting themselves with Paul's humble demeanor and perceived lack of eloquence. This worldly boasting was undermining Paul's legitimate apostolic authority and leading the Corinthians astray into a carnal, self-focused form of Christianity. Paul sought to correct this by redefining the proper object of boasting, moving it from human achievements to God alone, as seen in 2 Corinthians 10:12-13. He emphasized that true spiritual authority and power come from God, not from carnal means or self-promotion, and that any legitimate glory must be directed towards the Lord.

Does "glorying in the Lord" mean we should never acknowledge our own efforts or achievements?

Answer: "Glorying in the Lord" does not negate human effort or the recognition of God-given gifts and talents. Rather, it recontextualizes them within a divine framework. It means that any effort, achievement, or gift is ultimately sourced in God and should lead to His praise. Paul himself worked incredibly hard, even stating that he "labored more abundantly than all of them" 1 Corinthians 15:10, but he immediately qualified this by adding, "yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." The emphasis is on humility and acknowledging divine sovereignty: our abilities are God-given, our opportunities are God-provided, and our successes are God-enabled. Therefore, the ultimate glory belongs to the Lord, not to ourselves, as He is the one who works in and through us.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

2 Corinthians 10:17 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent "Lord" in whom all true glorying must reside. The Old Testament call to glory in knowing the Lord, as echoed from Jeremiah 9:24, is perfectly realized in knowing Christ, for He is the image of the invisible God and the one through whom God has fully revealed Himself. In Christ, humanity's inherent tendency to boast in self is utterly dismantled, as salvation is declared to be by grace through faith, not of works, lest any man should boast. Our boast is not in our own righteousness, but in His perfect righteousness imputed to us. Furthermore, Christ Himself perfectly embodied this principle; though He was in very nature God, He did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage, but humbled Himself, becoming obedient to death on a cross. His entire life and ministry were dedicated to bringing glory to the Father, culminating in His sacrificial death and resurrection, which secured salvation and demonstrated God's ultimate power and love. Therefore, to "glory in the Lord" is to glory in Christ's finished work, His ongoing intercession, and His future reign, acknowledging Him as the sole source of all spiritual blessing and the rightful recipient of all praise, now and forever.

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Commentary on 2 Corinthians 10 verses 12–18

In these verses observe,

I. The apostle refuses to justify himself, or to act by such rules as the false apostles did, Co2 10:12. He plainly intimates that they took a wrong method to commend themselves, in measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, which was not wise. They were pleased, and did pride themselves, in their own attainments, and never considered those who far exceeded them in gifts and graces, in power and authority; and this made them haughty and insolent. Note, If we would compare ourselves with others who excel us, this would be a good method to keep us humble; we should be pleased and thankful for what we have of gifts or graces, but never pride ourselves therein, as if there were none to be compared with us or that did excel us. The apostle would not be of the number of such vain men: let us resolve that we will not make ourselves of that number.

II. He fixes a better rule for his conduct, namely, not to boast of things without his measure, which was the measure God had distributed to him, Co2 10:13. His meaning is, either that he would not boast of more gifts or graces, or power and authority, than God had really bestowed on him; or, rather, that he would not act beyond his commission as to persons or things, nor go beyond the line prescribed to him, which he plainly intimates the false apostles did, while they boasted of other men's labors. The apostle's resolution was to keep within his own province, and that compass of ground which God had marked out for him. His commission as an apostle was to preach the gospel every where, especially among the Gentiles, and he was not confined to one place; yet he observed the directions of Providence, and the Holy Spirit, as to the particular places whither he went or where he did abide.

III. He acted according to this rule: We stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, Co2 10:14. And, particularly, he acted according to this rule in preaching at Corinth, and in the exercise of his apostolical authority there; for he came thither by divine direction, and there he converted many to Christianity; and, therefore, in boasting of them as his charge, he acted not contrary to his rule, he boasted not of other men's labours, Co2 10:15.

IV. He declares his success in observing this rule. His hope was that their faith was increased, and that others beyond them, even in the remoter parts of Achaia, would embrace the gospel also; and in all this he exceeded not his commission, nor acted in another man's line.

V. He seems to check himself in this matter, as if he had spoken too much in his own praise. The unjust accusations and reflections of his enemies had made it needful he should justify himself; and the wrong methods they took gave him good occasion to mention the better rule he had observed: yet he is afraid of boasting, or taking any praise to himself, and therefore he mentions two things which ought to be regarded: - 1. He that glorieth should glory in the Lord, Co2 10:17. If we are able to fix good rules for our conduct, or act by them, or have any good success in so doing, the praise and glory of all are owing unto God. Ministers in particular must be careful not to glory in their performances, but must give God the glory of their work, and the success thereof. 2. Not he that commendeth himself is approved, but he whom the Lord commendeth, Co2 10:18. Of all flattery, self-flattery is the worst, and self-applause is seldom any better than self-flattery and self-deceit. At the best, self-commendation is no praise, and it is oftentimes as foolish and vain as it is proud; therefore, instead of praising or commending ourselves, we should strive to approve ourselves to God, and his approbation will be our best commendation.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 12–18. Public domain.
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Ignatius of AntiochAD 108
Epistle of Pseudo-Ignatius to Hero, a Deacon of Antioch
Keep thyself pure as the habitation of God. Thou art the temple of Christ. Thou art the instrument of the Spirit. Thou knowest in what way I have brought thee up. Though I am the least of men, do thou seek to follow me, be thou an imitator of my conduct. I do not glory in the world, but in the Lord. I exhort Hero, my son; "but let him that glorieth, glory in the Lord." May I have joy of thee, my dear son, whose guardian may He be who is the only unbegotten God, and the Lord Jesus Christ! Do not believe all persons, do not place confidence in all; nor let any man get the better of thee by flattery. For many are the ministers of Satan; and "he that is hasty to believe is light of heart."
AmbrosiasterAD 384
COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES
By saying this Paul intimates that even his assurance and pride are to be given to the Lord, because it is by his favor that he has them. Someone who has confidence in the power of the gospel has confidence in the God who enables it. Thus God is glorified by all godly work. A person who has not received power from God cannot glory in the Lord, because he is seeking his own glory.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily 22 on 2 Corinthians
"He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." This also, he saith, accrueth to us from God.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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