2 Corinthians 10:17

KJV

But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} he that glorieth {G2744}, let him glory {G2744} in {G1722} the Lord {G2962}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So, let anyone who wants to boast, boast about Adonai;

Berean Standard Bible

Rather, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

American Standard Version

But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Commentary

### 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](/2_corinthians/10-4 "2 Corinthians 10:4 - Spiritual Warfare"). 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](/2_corinthians/10-12 "2 Corinthians 10:12 - Not Comparing Themselves"). His own boasting, he clarifies, is "according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us" [2 Corinthians 10:13](/2_corinthians/10-13 "2 Corinthians 10:13 - Paul's God-Given Measure"), 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](/2_corinthians/11-23-29 "2 Corinthians 11:23-29 - Paul's Sufferings")). 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](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Strength 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](/1_corinthians/1 "1 Corinthians 1-4 - Divisions and Wisdom"). 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](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Opposes the Proud"), 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](/romans/11-36 "Romans 11:36 - All Things From God"). 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'_):** 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'_):** 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'_):** 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](/jeremiah/9-24 "Jeremiah 9:24 - Glorying in Knowing the Lord"), 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.
* [1 Corinthians 1:31](/1_corinthians/1-31 "1 Corinthians 1:31 - Glorying in the Lord")
* [Galatians 6:14](/galatians/6-14 "Galatians 6:14 - Boasting in the Cross")
* [Philippians 3:3](/philippians/3-3 "Philippians 3:3 - True Circumcision Glories in Christ")

### 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](/2_corinthians/10-12-13 "2 Corinthians 10:12-13 - Paul's Measure of Rule"). 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](/1_corinthians/15-10 "1 Corinthians 15:10 - Paul's Labor by God's Grace"), 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](/jeremiah/9-24 "Jeremiah 9:24 - Glorying in Knowing the Lord"), is perfectly realized in knowing Christ, for [He is the image of the invisible God](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of 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](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace"). 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](/philippians/2-6 "Philippians 2:6 - Christ's Humility"), 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.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 9:23

¶ Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise [man] glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty [man] glory in his might, let not the rich [man] glory in his riches:

Jeremiah 9:24

But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I [am] the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these [things] I delight, saith the LORD.

1 Corinthians 1:31

That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

James 1:9

Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

James 1:10

But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

Isaiah 65:16

That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.

Jeremiah 4:2

And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.