2 Corinthians 10:13; A Measure to Reach Even Unto You

2 Corinthians 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.

It was the Apostle Paul who had come to the city of Corinth to preach the gospel that saw to the establishment of the church in Corinth. This work was established as it were through the working of God in the Apostle Paul’s ministry. It was during his 2nd Missionary journey that the church was started.

Recall Luke’s record in Acts 18 where the Apostle Paul departed from Athens to Corinth (Acts 18:1). He abode with Aquila and Priscilla who were tentmakers. On the Sabbath, he would make his way to the Jewish synagogue to preach the gospel. He was opposed but God was with him to save Justus who lived next to the synagogue. And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue also believed with all his household and many other Corinthians hearing the gospel believed.

The Lord Jesus encouraged the Apostle Paul to stay in Corinth to establish the faith of the new converts – Acts 18:9-11 “Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.“

Then persecution came, Acts 18:12 “And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat.” The Apostle Paul was able to escape as the account goes. This was how the church was established. This was how the Apostle Paul reached out to the Corinthians to preach the gospel to them and how they were saved.

He was not speaking out of measure concerning the work that took place in Corinth where the witness for Christ was established when souls were saved and a gospel work established. He obeyed God’s call to go into Macedonia of which Corinth was a province. His mission was his Lord’s. Working hand in hand, he was able to declare it to the glory of God.

The hymn “Be Thou My Vision” articulated well the Apostle Paul heart in the establishment of the church in Corinth.

1 Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best thought, by day or by night;
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

2 Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father and I, Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

3 Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise;
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart;
O King of glory, my treasure Thou art.

Amen.