(2Co 11:1) “Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. (2) For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”   Paul will momentarily speak to them in a fleshly (carnal) fashion, a sad commentary on their spirituality. The purpose is to communicate to them their need to follow his Holy Spirit inspired teaching, rather than follow the worldliness of false teachers.

(2Co 11:1) “Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. (2) For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”  Paul is about to do something he knows is foolish to do (folly) based upon the worldliness, spiritual immaturity of these church members. He is going to speak of his own “merits”, that a carnal person would see as impressive.

(2Co 10:18) “For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.”  Remember, men were seeking to exalt self by putting Paul down. Always beware of those who are quick to speak negatively of others. The saved are admonished: (Php_2:3) “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” 

(2Co 10:17) “But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”   If we could bring ourselves to live as Jesus taught, with our thoughts  (hearts) focused heavenly, then in all things we would see it is Christ that should receive all glory.

(2Co 10:15) “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,”  “Hope”: expectantly looking for a sure coming event. Paul knows that when they grow spiritually (faith increased), they will rightly give praise to God for what Paul has accomplished among them.

(2Co 10:14) “For 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:”  It was the Lord that commissioned Paul. It was the Lord that directed him to the Corinthians to the saving of their souls. Therefore his “measure”, his authority, was over them. If the Lord directs a pastor to a church, then his authority is over the direction and feeding of that church.

(2Co 10:13) “But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.”  The key of this verse is “which God hath distributed to us”. The Lord had directed Paul to their city to preach the gospel and these had responded. It had resulted in the churches of Corinth. They were the measure of Paul’s authority – God given. The people of your church, including yourself, are given as measure to your pastor.

(2Co 10:12) “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”  The judging of ourselves by what others do, is a false standard. Firstly, because we are blinded to self. The fallen nature of pride makes us think of ourselves more highly then we ought to think. Secondly, we cannot see as God see the heart of another person. So, our perception of them is flawed at best.

(2Co 10:11) “Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.”   Remember that Paul possessing Apostlistic authority, having been personally chosen as such by the Lord Jesus. An example of this would be when Paul pronounced blindness upon Elymas the sorcerer (Acts 13:7-11).

(2Co 10:9) “That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. (10) For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.”   Isn’t it a shame when one cares more about how something is said than the content and the result? The statement in itself says the person is fleshly in thought and action rather than spiritual.