Insecurity and pride are what lead to boasting, and there was a lot of that going on. People had come in after Paul and were boasting about all sorts of things, central though was the breadth of their ministry and where they went. Paul says he does not make any boasting beyond where he has actually been and worked. (It’s no different than today when pastors get together and compare congregation sizes.)
Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you.
For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ. We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another’s area of influence. “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
Those who had come in after Paul were straight up bragging on themselves, commending themselves by their own work. Their boasting appears to have gone beyond limits.
Paul says he only talks about the work which he has actually done, in his area of influence and in the territory given to him. That’s it. One day, he hopes to go even beyond the area, but to do so preaching the gospel where others have not.
It’s about the gospel. It’s about Jesus.
Paul acknowledges there has been territory in which he has preached, but who cares? It’s the one whom the Lord commends that matters. Also, forget about the boasting in general.
“Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Stop boasting about your work. Boast in the work of Christ.
That’s the true boast that is worthy of talking about.