2 COR 10:15 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) We don’t boast of things we can’t measure like other peoples’ work, but we have hope that as your faith grows, you’ll see us as more important in more areas

Key: khaki:verbs, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT not boasting to the immeasurable things in the labors of others, but having hope, as your faith increases, to be enlarged among you according to our limit to abundance

UST We do not say great things about ourselves because of what others do but because of what we actually do. In fact, we confidently expect that God will give us even more to do with you. That will happen when you trust God more.

BSB Neither do we boast beyond our limits in [the] labors of others. But we hope that [as] your faith increases, our area of influence among you will greatly increase [ as well ],

BLB not boasting to the things beyond measure in others' labors, but having hope of your faith increasing, to be enlarged to abundance among you according to our area,

AICNT We do not boast beyond measure in the labors of others, but we have hope that as your faith increases, our influence among you may be greatly enlarged, according to our rule,

OEB Our boasting, therefore, is not unlimited, nor does it extend to the labours of others; but our hope is that, as your faith grows, our influence among you may be very greatly increased – though still confined to our sphere –

WEBBE not boasting beyond proper limits in other men’s labours, but having hope that as your faith grows, we will be abundantly enlarged by you in our sphere of influence,

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Nor do we boast beyond certain limits in the work done by others, but we hope that as your faith continues to grow, our work may be greatly expanded among you according to our limits,

LSV not boasting of the things not measured, in other men’s labors, and having hope—your faith increasing—in you to be enlarged, according to our line—into abundance,

FBV We're not boasting in extravagant terms that can't be measured, claiming credit for what others have done. On the contrary, we hope that as your trust in God grows, our work among you will greatly increase.

TCNT We do not go beyond our limits by boasting in the labors of others. On the contrary, our hope is that, as your faith increases, our area of ministry among you will be greatly expanded,

T4T Also, my opponents boast about work that others have done as if it were their own work. It is improper for them to do that, but I do not do as they do. I confidently expect that as you trust more and more in the gospel that I preach, you will more and more agree that God has given me the right to work as Christ’s representative among you.

LEB not boasting _⌊beyond limits_⌋[fn] in the labors of others, but having hope that as your faith is growing to be enlarged greatly by you according to our assignment,

10:15 Literally “to the things immeasurable”

BBE Not taking credit to ourselves for what is not our business, that is, for the work of others; but having hope that, with the growth of your faith, we may get the credit for an increase which is the effect of our work,

Moff I do not boast beyond my limits in a sphere where other men have done the work; my hope rather is that the growth of your faith will allow me to enlarge the range of my appointed sphere

Wymth We do not exceed our due limits, and take credit for other men's labours; but we entertain the hope that, as your faith grows, we shall gain promotion among you—still keeping within our own sphere—promotion to a larger field of labour,

ASV not glorying beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors; but having hope that, as your faith groweth, we shall be magnified in you according to our province unto further abundance,

DRA Not glorying beyond measure in other men’s labours; but having hope of your increasing faith, to be magnified in you according to our rule abundantly;

YLT not boasting of the things not measured, in other men's labours, and having hope — your faith increasing — in you to be enlarged, according to our line — into abundance,

Drby not boasting out of measure in other people's labours, but having hope, your faith increasing, to be enlarged amongst you, according to our rule, yet more abundantly

RV not glorying beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labours; but having hope that, as your faith groweth, we shall be magnified in you according to our province unto further abundance,

SLT Not boasting in things immeasurable, in the toils of others; and having hope, your faith being increased, to be enlarged in you according to our rule for abundance,

Wbstr Not boasting of things without our measure, that is , of other men's labors; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you, according to our rule abundantly,

KJB-1769 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,

KJB-1611 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other mens labours, but hauing hope, when your faith is increased, that wee shall bee [fn]enlarged by you, according to our rule abundantly.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation and footnotes)

10:15 Or, magnified in you.

Bshps And we boast not our selues out of measure in other mens labours: Yea, and we hope, when your fayth is increased among you, to be magnified accordyng to our measure aboundauntly,
(And we boast not ourselves out of measure in other men’s labours: Yea, and we hope, when your faith is increased among you, to be magnified according to our measure abundantly,)

Gnva Not boasting of things which are without our measure: that is, of other mens labours: and we hope, when your faith shall increase, to bee magnified by you according to our line aboundantly,
(Not boasting of things which are without our measure: that is, of other men’s labours: and we hope, when your faith shall increase, to be magnified by you according to our line abundantly, )

Cvdl and boast not oure selues out of measure in other mens laboures: Yee and we hope whan youre faith is increased in you, that we wil come farther (acordinge to oure measure)
(and boast not ourselves out of measure in other men’s labours: Ye/You_all and we hope when your(pl) faith is increased in you, that we will come farther (according to our measure))

TNT and we bost not oure selves out of measure in other mens labours. Ye and we hope when youre fayth is increased amonge you to be magnified acordynge to oure measure more largely
(and we bost not our selves out of measure in other men’s labours. Ye/You_all and we hope when your(pl) faith is increased among you to be magnified according to our measure more largely )

Wycl not gloriynge ouer mesure in othere mennus trauelis. For we `han hope of youre feith that wexith in you to be magnefied bi oure reule in abundaunce,
(not gloriing over measure in other mennus travails. For we have hope of your(pl) faith that wexith in you to be magnified by our reule in abundance,)

Luth Und rühmen uns nicht über das Ziel in fremder Arbeit und haben Hoffnung, wenn nun euer Glaube in euch gewachsen, daß wir unserer Regel nach wollen weiter kommen
(And boast/praise us/to_us/ourselves not above the goal/target in strangersr work/job and have hope(n), when now your(pl) faith in you grown, that we/us ours Regel after want further coming)

ClVg Non in immensum gloriantes in alienis laboribus: spem autem habentes crescentis fidei vestræ, in vobis magnificari secundum regulam nostram in abundantiam,[fn]
(Not/No in/into/on immensum gloryntes in/into/on strangers labours: hope however having crescentis of_faith yours, in/into/on to_you(pl) magnificari after/second rule ours in/into/on abundancem, )

10.15 Non in alienis laboribus. Hoc facere esset ultra mensuram gloriari; sed spem habentes in vobis: id est, per vos magnificari apud alios, et evangelizare secundum regulam nostram, id est, secundum quod a Deo injunctum est, non habentes spem gloriari in aliena regula.

10.15 Not/No in/into/on strangers labours. This to_do was beyond/besides measure to_boast; but hope having in/into/on to_you(pl): that it_is, through you(pl) magnificari at others, and to_evangelise after/second rule ours, that it_is, after/second that from to_God inyunctum it_is, not/no having hope to_boast in/into/on foreign regula.

UGNT οὐκ εἰς τὰ ἄμετρα καυχώμενοι ἐν ἀλλοτρίοις κόποις, ἐλπίδα δὲ ἔχοντες, αὐξανομένης τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν, ἐν ὑμῖν μεγαλυνθῆναι κατὰ τὸν κανόνα ἡμῶν εἰς περισσείαν,
(ouk eis ta ametra kauⱪōmenoi en allotriois kopois, elpida de eⱪontes, auxanomenaʸs taʸs pisteōs humōn, en humin megalunthaʸnai kata ton kanona haʸmōn eis perisseian,)

SBL-GNT οὐκ εἰς τὰ ἄμετρα καυχώμενοι ἐν ἀλλοτρίοις κόποις, ἐλπίδα δὲ ἔχοντες αὐξανομένης τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν ἐν ὑμῖν μεγαλυνθῆναι κατὰ τὸν κανόνα ἡμῶν εἰς περισσείαν,
(ouk eis ta ametra kauⱪōmenoi en allotriois kopois, elpida de eⱪontes auxanomenaʸs taʸs pisteōs humōn en humin megalunthaʸnai kata ton kanona haʸmōn eis perisseian,)

RP-GNT οὐκ εἰς τὰ ἄμετρα καυχώμενοι, ἐν ἀλλοτρίοις κόποις, ἐλπίδα δὲ ἔχοντες, αὐξανομένης τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν, ἐν ὑμῖν μεγαλυνθῆναι κατὰ τὸν κανόνα ἡμῶν εἰς περισσείαν,
(ouk eis ta ametra kauⱪōmenoi, en allotriois kopois, elpida de eⱪontes, auxanomenaʸs taʸs pisteōs humōn, en humin megalunthaʸnai kata ton kanona haʸmōn eis perisseian,)

TC-GNT οὐκ εἰς τὰ ἄμετρα καυχώμενοι, ἐν ἀλλοτρίοις κόποις, ἐλπίδα δὲ ἔχοντες, αὐξανομένης τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν, ἐν ὑμῖν μεγαλυνθῆναι κατὰ τὸν κανόνα ἡμῶν εἰς περισσείαν,
(ouk eis ta ametra kauⱪōmenoi, en allotriois kopois, elpida de eⱪontes, auxanomenaʸs taʸs pisteōs humōn, en humin megalunthaʸnai kata ton kanona haʸmōn eis perisseian, )

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 10:1–18: Paul defended his ministry

In this section, Paul asked the believers in Corinth to live in obedience to their faith, or he might have to rebuke or discipline some (10:1–2). He explained how a believer fights against those who oppose God (10:3–4) and how to rebuke them as well as correct a disobedient believer (10:5–6).

He told them to understand their situation, including Paul’s authority (10:7–8). He explained that he was forceful in his letters, and that he would be forceful in person if he had to be (10:9–11).

He told them that people who commend themselves are not wise (10:12). He explained that he boasted only in proper ways. One of those ways was boasting about the faith of people whom he had helped become believers, which included those in Corinth (10:13–15a). He told them that he hoped to preach the gospel in more regions (10:15b–16a). He explained further about proper things to boast about (10:16b–17). Lastly, he told them that God approves of people according to what God himself says in favor of them and not what a person boasts about himself (10:18).

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Paul’s reply to accusations of weakness (NJB)

Paul Describes Himself (NASB)

Paul responded to some who had criticized him

10:15a

Neither do we boast beyond our limits in the labors of others.

We^(excl) do not boast beyond limit, that is, in the labors of others.
We do not talk proudly for selfish gain about work/ministry done by others, since such talk is outside of what is proper.

Neither do we boast beyond our limits in the labors of others: The Greek words are literally “in the (things) beyond measure boasting in others’ labors.” It indicates two things:

Some kinds of boasting in the labors of others are acceptable. This is probably boasting that praises those people who did the work.
Some kinds of boasting in the labors of others are not acceptable. This is probably boasting about being responsible for the work when they were not.

For example, Paul would not have boasted about Peter’s work as if he (Paul) had done that work himself or was responsible for it. Other ways to translate this clause are:

We do not boast beyond limits, that is, in the labors of others (NRSV)

we do not boast of work done where others have laboured, work beyond our proper sphere (REB)

We limit our bragging to the work that is ours, not what others have done (NCV)

boast beyond our limits in the labors of others: This clause refers to a wrong kind of boasting. This kind of boast claims to be responsible for work done by others, when the person who boasts was not responsible for that work.

In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain the correct meaning in your translation. For example:

selfish boasting of work done by others

boasting of work done by others as if we had done the work ourselves

boasting of work done by others as if the credit/responsibility was ours

labors: Here the word labors refers to doing things for God such as preaching and evangelizing. The Greek word often implies hard work. Other ways to translate this word are:

hard work

ministry

work of God

what others have done for God

10:15b

But we hope that as your faith increases,

As your^(plur) faith/believing becomes stronger, we expect that
As you believe in Jesus more and more, we have confidence that

hope: The Greek word that the BSB translates as hope means “confidence about something happening.” Paul expected their faith to grow and that would cause him to have more opportunities to preach and teach among them. For example:

confidence (GW)

as your faith increases: This phrase refers to the believers’ faith in Jesus increasing. As this happened, they would have fewer doubts and trust him to do more and more in their lives. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

as your faith continues to grow (NIV)

as you become stronger in your faith (CEV)

as your believing becomes great/large

10:15c

our area of influence among you will greatly increase as well,

our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, (ESV)
our work among you will grow/extend greatly.

our area of influence among you will greatly increase as well: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as our area of influence is literally “according to our sphere/region.” There are several ways to interpret this phrase. The three main ways are:

The Greek phrase refers to the places, people, and ministries where Paul was already working. For example:
our field among you may be greatly enlarged (RSV) (BSB, RSV, NIV, NASB, NLT, ESV)
The Greek phrase refers to what is limited (10:15a). For example:
always within the limits that God has set (GNT) (GNT, NET, REB)
The Greek phrase refers to a standard or rule. For example:
by this standard of ours (NJB) (NJB, KJV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).Harris (p. 705) translates this phrase as “in accordance with our assignment.” Martin (p. 322) translates the Greek phrase as “within the sphere we have.” Kistemaker (p. 349) translates it as “our sphere of influence.” Furnish (p. 465) translates it as “in accord with our jurisdiction.”

our area of influence: The word area refers figuratively to the people groups and places where God had sent them to preach and evangelize. The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as area of influence is translated “field” in 10:13b. The meaning is similar in both places. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

regions/peoples

our sphere of activity (NIV)

we will be able to reach many more of the people around you (CEV)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

εἰς τὰ ἄμετρα

to to (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὐκ εἰς τά ἄμετρα καυχώμενοι ἐν ἀλλοτρίοις κόποις ἐλπίδα δέ ἔχοντες αὐξανομένης τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν ἐν ὑμῖν μεγαλυνθῆναι κατά τόν κανόνα ἡμῶν εἰς περισσείαν)

See how you translated the similar phrase in [10:13](../10/13.md). Alternate translation: [in unmeasured ways] or [without any standards]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἐλπίδα δὲ ἔχοντες, αὐξανομένης τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν

hope (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὐκ εἰς τά ἄμετρα καυχώμενοι ἐν ἀλλοτρίοις κόποις ἐλπίδα δέ ἔχοντες αὐξανομένης τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν ἐν ὑμῖν μεγαλυνθῆναι κατά τόν κανόνα ἡμῶν εἰς περισσείαν)

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of hope and faith, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: [but hoping, as you increasingly believe]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

μεγαλυνθῆναι

˓to_be˒_magnified

Here Paul does not state directly what is enlarged. He could mean that: (1) their ministry or work might be enlarged. Alternate translation: [that our ministry might be enlarged] (2) they might be enlarged or praised by the Corinthians. Alternate translation: [that we might be enlarged] or [that we might be praised]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

μεγαλυνθῆναι

˓to_be˒_magnified

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, it is clear from the context that it was God. Alternate translation: [that God will enlarge our ministry] or [that God will enlarge us]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

κατὰ τὸν κανόνα ἡμῶν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὐκ εἰς τά ἄμετρα καυχώμενοι ἐν ἀλλοτρίοις κόποις ἐλπίδα δέ ἔχοντες αὐξανομένης τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν ἐν ὑμῖν μεγαλυνθῆναι κατά τόν κανόνα ἡμῶν εἰς περισσείαν)

Here, the phrase according to our limit could refer to: (1) a limit or standard according to which Paul and his fellow workers serve God. In this case, God increases or enlarges what he wants them to do. Alternate translation: [according to what God has called us to do] or [in what God wants us to do] (2) the area or places in which Paul and his fellow workers serve God. In this case, God increases or enlarges the areas in which they serve. Alternate translation: [according to where we serve] or [in the places in which we serve]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

εἰς περισσείαν

to to abundance

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of abundance, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [abundantly] or [in abundant ways]

Parallel 2 COR 10:15

Section 10:1–18: Paul defended his ministry

10:15a

10:15b

10:15c

Parallel 2 COR 10:15