16 to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment.
16 to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you,
The gospel team hoped to move farther west from Corinth with the gospel; Paul expected to reach Rome and Spain (Ro 15:23-29). The apostle desired to preach the gospel where it had never been proclaimed. This would take “faith” (2 Co 10:15).
and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment.
Paul’s protagonists tried to imply that they were the real cause of what the Corinth church became. However, the apostle did not need to hijack the work of others to expand the gospel. His commission was to pioneer new vistas for Christ.
PRINCIPLE:
It takes faith to move into the unknown.
APPLICATION:
The church should always set its sights on the regions beyond (Ro 15:24). It takes strong faith to move beyond one’s sphere. There is risk in the unknown.
Our desire should not have the purpose of hijacking other ministries or the reputation that those ministries gained. Small-minded men brag about work that they inherited, to which others gave great sacrifice. Our orientation should concern itself with what has not been done to the regions beyond. Great people do not have time to brag about themselves but want to reach as many as possible. Real ministry does not steal sheep but creates new opportunities or, at least, builds further on what others have done.
