Strong’s Greek 1469 expresses the act of placing oneself or others “within a class,” the mental sorting that ranks people by self-made standards. In Scripture it appears once, in 2 Corinthians 10:12, where Paul exposes the folly of ministers who evaluate themselves by their own yardsticks rather than by God’s approval.

Scriptural Context: 2 Corinthians 10:12

“We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they lack understanding.”

Paul is defending his apostolic calling against traveling teachers who parade letters of recommendation and boast in visible accomplishments (2 Corinthians 3:1; 2 Corinthians 11:18). By using ἐνκρῖναι he highlights three errors:

1. Creating artificial categories of worth.
2. Using self-referential standards.
3. Assuming divine endorsement based on human approval.

Theological Themes

• God, not man, is the final arbiter of ministry value (1 Corinthians 4:4-5).
• Boasting is legitimate only “in the Lord” (2 Corinthians 10:17).
• The body of Christ thrives on mutual edification, not rivalry (Philippians 2:3).
• Wisdom discerns according to spiritual realities, not outward appearance (John 7:24; 2 Corinthians 10:7).

Historical Background

Greco-Roman culture prized honor, status, and rhetorical showmanship. Traveling orators circulated with letters of commendation; patrons ranked clients for political gain. Corinth, a commercial crossroads, absorbed these values. Paul refuses to play that game, reminding the church that apostolic authority rests on divine commissioning and sacrificial service, not on polished résumés or peer networks.

Practical Ministry Implications

1. Credentialism. Modern churches can repeat Corinth’s error by elevating charisma, platforms, or educational pedigree above character and faithfulness.
2. Metrics. Ministries often gauge success by numbers, budgets, and trends. Scripture redirects attention to fruit that endures eternally (John 15:16).
3. Accountability. True evaluation comes from God’s Word and a Spirit-led community, not self-referential echo chambers.

Illustrative Cross-References

• Luke 18:11-14 – The Pharisee’s self-comparison contrasted with the tax collector’s humility.
• Galatians 6:4 – “Each one should test his own work.” Self-examination replaces competitive comparison.
• Proverbs 27:2 – “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth.”
• Psalm 75:6-7 – Promotion comes from God alone.

Application for Believers Today

Believers guard against the subtle pull to rank themselves by appearance, influence, or achievement. Elders and pastors resist building ministries on personal brand; lay members resist envy or disdain. Instead, each seeks to steward God-given gifts for the common good, trusting that “it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends” (2 Corinthians 10:18).