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2 Corinthians 10 · a question people ask

"within the boundaries with which God appointed to us" (10:13). What boundaries?

In the text

The verse goes on, "which reach even to you" (10:13), and the next says, "For we came even as far as to you with the Good News of Christ" (10:14). 10:16 speaks of "the parts beyond you" and names no place there. The chapter doesn't say more about the boundaries, and these notes don't draw them on any map or apply them to any church or work today.

The verses

“But we will not boast beyond proper limits, but within the boundaries with which God appointed to us, which reach even to you. For we don’t stretch ourselves too much, as though we didn’t reach to you. For we came even as far as to you with the Good News of Christ, not boasting beyond proper limits in other men’s labors, but having hope that as your faith grows, we will be abundantly enlarged by you in our sphere of influence, so as to preach the Good News even to the parts beyond you, not to boast in what someone else has already done.”
2 Corinthians 10:13-16 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 2 Corinthians 10

2 Corinthians 10: Whom the Lord commends

2 Corinthians 10 gives the letter's "I" a name: "Now I Paul, myself, entreat you by the humility and gentleness of Christ" (10:1). It says the Lord gave its authority "for building you up and not for casting you down" (10:8), and it ends, "For it isn’t he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends." (10:18).

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Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions