2 Corinthians 10:14

2 Corinthians 10:14 says, 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:  In verse thirteen Paul had said that he did not boast of himself, but of the work that God was doing through Him.  In this verse, he says that they didn't stretch themselves beyond measure.  Paul had a commission from God to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.  He had been doing this in Corinth when those who were the church there had come to salvation through faith in Christ.  Paul was being attacked by many because of his preaching, but he said that the Corinthians should know that he was faithful to his ministry for Christ because he had come to them with the gospel.  We should be able to point to the things that God accomplishes through us as proof of our faithfulness and of the power of God.  Verse fifteen adds, 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,  Paul said that he did not build on another person's work in order to glorify himself.  Paul said that he hoped when the Corinthians grew in faith that they would recognize what Paul had done in bringing the gospel to them.  I don't believe that he said this so he would be glorified, but so that his work for Christ would be acknowledged so that Christ might be glorified.  Though it might be nice to have what we do for spreading the gospel of Christ acknowledged, it should only be so if it points to the power and glory of Christ.  Verse sixteen continues, To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.  Paul said that he went to preach the gospel where it had not been proclaimed before.  He did not want to just build on another person's work.  Since the gospel was still new, it was easy and important to go to those who had not heard it.  We today might find it more difficult to find a place where the gospel has not been proclaimed at some point, but there are still many people today who have not heard the gospel and it is our responsibility as followers of Christ to present it to them.  Verse seventeen stats, But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.  Just as Paul said in this verse, if we are to glory, it should only be in Christ.  We should never attempt to bring glory to ourselves as we do what God has called us to do.  Verse eighteen Paul adds, For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.  Paul said that we cannot be approved by pointing out what we have done, but can only be approved by the Lord, or Christ, commending us.  We are to work for the glory of God and not for self-glory.