off to him. But this is not consistent ^^4th the ordinary mean- ing of the word, or with the context. Wliich God hath dis- tributed to us y ov ifxipicrev -qfjuv 6 «^eo5 ixirpov^ for fxirpov 6 i/xepL- o-ev 6 ^eos, by attraction. This clause is in apposition with Kaj/wos, and explains what was the rule or line which deter- mined the sphere of his activity. It was not something self- assumed, or self-applied, but something w^hich God had appomted ; a measure, he adds, to reach even unto you. It is agreeable to Paul's manner to include two or more related ideas in the same form of expression. To hoast according to the measure assigned him., may mean to regulate his boasting according to his gifts ; or, to boast in reference to what was done within the limits assigned him in preaching the gospel. Both ideas are here united. In opposition to the false teach- ers, who not only boasted of gifts which they did not possess, but appropriated to themselves the fruits of other men's la- bours by intruding into churches which they had not founded, Paul says he did neither one nor the other. His boasting was neither immoderate, nor was it founded on what others had done. He invaded no man's s^^here of labour. It was his set- tled purpose to preach the gosj^el where Christ had not been named, and not to build on another man's foundation. Rom. 15, 20. Acting on this principle he had the right to regard Corinth as legitimately within his field. His assigned limit of labour reached at least that far. He had founded the church in that city; others had built thereon. 1 Cor. 3, 10. The Corinthians were his work in the Lord. 1 Cor. 9, 1. Over them, therefore, if over no others, he had the authority of an apostle. It is plain, on the one hand, from the ISTew Testa- ment that the apostles had a general agreement among them- selves as to their several fields of labour. Paul was to go to the Gentiles ; Peter, James and John to the Jews. Gal. 2, 9. But it is no less plain that they were not confined to any pre- scribed limits. They had not, as modern bishops or pastors, each his particular diocese or parish. As their authority did not arise from their election or appointment to a particular church or district, but from their plenary knowledge, infalli- bility, and supernatural power, it was the same everywhere, and in relation to all churches. Hence we find Paul writing to the church in Rome which he had never visited, as well as to others who had never seen his face in the flesh, with the same authority with which he addressed churches which he had himself planted. Peter addressed his epistles to churches
246 II. CORIlsTTHIANS 10, 14.15.
within Paul's sphere of labour ; and, according to all tradition, St. John presided during the latter years of his life over the churches in Asia Minor, founded by the apostle to the Gen- tiles. Still it was a matter of courtesy that one apostle should not intrude unnecessarily upon the sphere already occupied by another. Paul, at least, determined that he would not build upon another man's foundation.
14. Por we stretch not ourselves beyond (our measure), as though we reached not unto you; for we are come as far as to you also in (preaching) the gospel of Christ.
This verse is generally regarded as a parenthesis, although some commentators make it the beginning of a new sentence. It is logically connected with the last clause of v. 13. ' God assigned us a measure extending to you, /or not, as not reach- ing to you, do we unduly stretch ourselves out ; ' v-rrepeKTeivo- fxev €avTovs, clo toe overstretch ourselves. The present tense is used, because the reference is to the sphere of the apostle's authority. For ice have come as far as yoii^ (Ifji^da-afjiiv.) ' Our authority extends to you, for we have come to you in preaching the gospel.' That is, Corinth was included in the region throughout which he had been the first to preach Christ. The word (fiSdvio properly means, to come, or be, be- forehand ; to anticipate ; and then, in the aorist, to have come already. See Matt. 12, 28. Phil. 3, 16. 1 Thess. 2, 16. This sense may be retained here. * We have already come even unto you.' He had already reached them and expected soon to reach beyond them; see v. 16.
15. Not boasting of things without (our) measure, (that is), of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you, according to our rule abundantly.
If verse 14 is parenthetical, then this verse is connected with the 13th. * We will boast according to our measure — not boasting immoderately.' Of other men^s labours. This is explanatory of the eis to. afxerpa. He did not boast of what other men had done. If the comiection is with the 14th verse, the participle Kav;(a>ju.€vot most naturally depends on ov iirepcK-