2 Corinthians 10 17
Get the 2 Corinthians 10:17 summary and meaning with expert commentary explained. Uncover biblical context and spiritual insights through detailed word analysis and cross-references.
2 Corinthians chapter 10 - Spiritual Warfare And The Authority Of Paul
2 Corinthians 10 documents Paul’s defense against critics who claimed he was 'bold' in his letters but 'weak' in person. This chapter asserts that the weapons of Christian warfare are not physical but spiritual, capable of pulling down mental strongholds and every high thing that exalts itself against God. It establishes that true authority is for 'building up' rather than 'tearing down.'
2 Corinthians 10:17
ESV: "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
KJV: But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
NIV: But, "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord."
NKJV: But "he who glories, let him glory in the LORD."
NLT: As the Scriptures say, "If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD."
Meaning
This verse declares a fundamental principle for believers: all true boasting or glorying must be exclusively directed towards the Lord. It commands a redirection of pride from human accomplishments, status, wisdom, or strength to God Himself, acknowledging Him as the sole source of all good and the worthy recipient of all praise.
Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jer 9:23-24 | Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man boast...let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me... | Old Testament origin of the quote |
| 1 Cor 1:29-31 | ...so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. As it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." | Direct echo in Corinthians; salvation by grace |
| Rom 3:27 | Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by a law of faith. | Boasting is removed by faith-based righteousness |
| Gal 6:14 | But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me... | Boasting only in the Cross of Christ |
| Eph 2:8-9 | For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. | Salvation solely God's gift to prevent human pride |
| Phil 3:3-8 | For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh... | No confidence in human achievements or flesh |
| Rom 15:17-18 | In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to boast of my work for God. For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me... | Boasting only in what Christ accomplished through oneself |
| Psa 20:7 | Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. | Trust and boasting in God alone, not human power |
| Psa 34:2 | My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. | Joy and boasting derived from the Lord |
| Psa 44:8 | In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever. | Constant glorying and thanksgiving to God |
| Psa 105:3 | Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! | Finding glory and joy in God's name |
| Isa 45:24-25 | "Only in the Lord, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength...In the Lord all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory." | Righteousness and glory are found solely in God |
| Jer 4:2 | And if you swear, "As the Lord lives," in truth, in uprightness, and in righteousness, then nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him they shall glory. | Nations glorying in God through His truth |
| 1 Pet 4:11 | whoever serves, let him do it as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. | All service and strength from God for His glory |
| 1 Cor 3:21 | So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours... | Avoid boasting in human leaders |
| 2 Cor 11:30 | If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. | Boasting in weakness demonstrates God's strength |
| 2 Cor 12:9-10 | But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. | Boasting in weakness for Christ's power |
| Jas 1:9-10 | Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the field he will pass away. | Proper boasting irrespective of earthly status |
| Jas 4:10 | Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. | Humility before God leads to divine exaltation |
| Rom 1:16 | For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes... | Pride in the Gospel, not self |
| Col 2:1-3 | ...so that their hearts may be encouraged...and attain to all the riches of full assurance of understanding, in Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. | True wisdom and knowledge found in Christ, not human philosophy |
Context
This verse appears in 2 Corinthians chapter 10, where Paul begins a sharp defense of his apostolic authority and ministry against those in Corinth who were undermining him. He contrasts their worldly methods and boastings—likely concerning rhetorical skill, outward appearances, or social status—with his own spiritual approach, emphasizing reliance on divine power rather than human strength or cleverness. Paul's opponents judged him by worldly standards, claiming he was "bold when absent, but timid when present." This chapter reorients the Corinthian understanding of true spiritual authority and effective ministry, making 2 Corinthians 10:17 a pivotal statement that clarifies the only legitimate object of human pride or glory.
Word analysis
- But: (Greek: de - δέ). This conjunction introduces a contrast. It marks a transition from Paul's previous discussion of worldly, carnal warfare and self-commendation to a definitive principle regarding true, righteous boasting.
- 'he who boasts': (Greek: ho kauchomenos - ὁ καυχώμενος). The definite article with the present participle indicates "the one currently boasting." The verb kauchaomai (καυχάομαι) means to glory, to boast, to take pride, or to exult. While it can carry a negative connotation when directed toward oneself or human achievements, Paul deliberately uses it here in a positive sense, redefined by its object.
- 'let him boast': (Greek: kauchasthe - καυχάσθω). This is a third-person imperative verb, functioning as a command or strong exhortation. It carries the weight of a divine decree, guiding believers on where their boasting should be directed. The repetition of the verb emphasizes the intentionality of this redirected pride.
- in the Lord: (Greek: en Kyrio - ἐν Κυρίῳ).
- in: (en) indicates the sphere, realm, or source. Boasting is not merely about the Lord, but takes place within Him, by virtue of Him, and as a result of His work and character. It denotes an intrinsic connection.
- the Lord: (Kyrios) In the New Testament, this title almost universally refers to Jesus Christ. It underscores His divine authority, sovereignty, and role as the source of salvation, power, and every spiritual good. It connects to the Old Testament use of Kyrios in the Septuagint as the translation for Yahweh (יהוה), linking Paul's statement to its Old Testament source (Jer 9:24) and asserting Christ's full divinity. All glory due to God is also due to Christ.
- Words-group analysis:
- "But 'he who boasts, let him boast' ": This phrase sets up a direct quote and creates a strong antithesis. It acknowledges that boasting is a human tendency but immediately provides the necessary corrective, transforming the act itself by redefining its appropriate object. The structure "he who X, let him X" powerfully frames the command.
- "boast in the Lord": This core directive means that all legitimate self-estimation, pride, confidence, or glorying must be rooted in God's nature, His works, His grace, and especially His redemptive work through Jesus Christ. It dismantles pride based on personal merits, intellect, heritage, or power, shifting the foundation of identity and value to divine initiative and gift.
Commentary
2 Corinthians 10:17 is a profound reorientation of human pride, a direct quotation from Jeremiah 9:23-24 which Paul also utilized in 1 Corinthians 1:31. Paul wields this principle against his opponents in Corinth, who boasted in worldly credentials like eloquence and personal charisma, as well as against the Corinthians' own inclination towards human-centered values. The verse teaches that true confidence and worth derive not from what one achieves, possesses, or is inherently, but solely from God's character, grace, and actions. It means acknowledging God as the source of all blessing, wisdom, strength, and ministry effectiveness. When one boasts in the Lord, they implicitly declare their dependence on Him, demonstrating humility and giving Him exclusive glory. This principle safeguards against self-exaltation, promotes unity within the church by focusing all glory on Christ, and empowers ministry that draws its strength from God alone. For example, instead of a minister boasting in the size of their congregation, they boast in God who brings growth. Instead of boasting in a skill or talent, they boast in the Lord who bestowed the ability and gives the opportunity to use it for His kingdom.
Bonus section
- Paul's re-framing of boasting is not a simple rejection of all forms of pride, but a re-direction of its object. He teaches against boasting in self (which leads to sin and division) and instead champions boasting in the Lord (which leads to humility, unity, and divine glorification).
- This verse acts as a vital counterpoint to humanistic thought that elevates self-sufficiency and human achievement. It calls Christians to a radically God-centered perspective, where all genuine significance and cause for celebration originate in the Divine.
- While Paul himself sometimes "boasted," such as in his weaknesses (2 Cor 11:30, 12:5), or his sufferings for Christ (2 Cor 11:23-29), or his role as an apostle (Rom 15:17), these seemingly paradoxical boasts ultimately served to highlight God's power made perfect in his weakness and to emphasize what Christ accomplished through him, aligning perfectly with the command to boast in the Lord.
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