PERSONAL PRIDE.
NOT HE WHO COMMEND HIMSELF IS APPROVED BUT WHOM THE LORD COMMEND
NOT HE WHO COMMEND HIMSELF IS APPROVED BUT WHOM THE LORD COMMEND
2Corinthians 10
Paul in his sincerity of teaching got annoyed by some deceitful and jealous people in Corinthian church who considered themselves worthy to criticize Paul (10) for his boldness and strictness in his letters when he is passing judgment on people, or disapproved, or condemn ungodly behavior in their church or individual members.
It is irritated him by their doubt concerning his sincerity, truthfulness, and his rightful authority as Apostle of Christ, and Paul warned them that he and his companions are not doing anything according to flesh, means according to rules of this world or according to their personal preferences and desires, but only according to the Spiritual Weapons of Christ to destroy the fortress, means the evil of this world. (3-4).
Paul desired personally to face them, concerning their accusation of his insincerity and questionable honesty, but as always Paul reminded them that he and his companions still have authority and they should not forget who brought them to Christ in the first place (8), and even mentioned to them that they, Corinthians, are the first to whom he preach the Gospel. (14).
In his letters to Corinthians Paul plainly explained to them about what kind of responsibility they taken on themselves to become the followers of Christ, and consequences of that, which perhaps terrified some of Corinthians (9).
Paul also noticed that some members of the Corinthian church commend themselves, means thinking about themselves much more than they should. In this case Paul has very good answer for them in verses 17-18.
18. For, not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends."
Paul also let Corinthians know that not he or any of his helpers cross any lines when they teach them, rebuke them, or praise them, and kept themselves in the boundaries that the Lord GOD established for them (13-16).
But if Paul or any of his companions are boasting, they are boasting not about themselves but about the Lord Who gave them right mind, understanding, knowledge, and most important of all courage to go against all odds and preach and deliver the Word of GOD to the world.
17. But he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.
See parallel themes. To understand and to know the Lord: (Psalm 20.7, 44.8) (Jeremiah 9.23-24) (1Corinthians 1.31) (2Corinthians 10.17) (Galatians 6.13-14).