Avoiding Personal Examples in Biblical Comparison and Competition
The New Testament discourages believers from comparing themselves with others, particularly in ways that lead to competition or self-exaltation. Paul explicitly states in 2 Corinthians 10:12, "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise" [2]. This passage highlights the folly of using other people as the standard for one's own spiritual or personal evaluation.
This principle is further elaborated in 1 Corinthians 4:6, where Paul indicates that he and Apollos have served as examples "so that in us you might see that it is not wise to go farther than what is in the holy Writings, so that no one of you may be lifted up against his brother" [1]. The implication here is that comparing oneself to others can lead to pride and division within the community. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on 2 Corinthians 10:13 notes that there is "no limit to a man's high opinion of himself, so long as he measures himself by himself... and does not compare himself with his superiors" [10]. This suggests that self-assessment based on comparison with peers can inflate one's sense of self-importance.
Instead of comparing oneself to others, Christian teaching emphasizes self-examination against the standard of Christ's example and God's word. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on Galatians 6:4, advises believers to "examine himself and his conduct by the words and example of Christ" [7]. one tradition argues that true rejoicing comes from finding resemblance to Christ, "and not in another—not derive his consolation from comparing himself with another who may be weaker, or less instructed than himself" [7]. The word of Christ and His example are presented as the sole rule and pattern for imitation, not the actions or achievements of other individuals [7].
The Bible also warns against ambition that leads to strife and contention [6]. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists ambition as something God condemns, citing passages like Matthew 18:1,3,4 and 20:25,26 where Christ condemns it [6]. Such ambition is often connected with pride and covetousness [6]. The practice of self-denial, exemplified by Christ, is presented as a necessary aspect of following Him and a test of devotedness [5]. This involves denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, controlling appetite, and abstaining from fleshly desires [5].
The caution against comparison extends to avoiding situations that might cause others to stumble or lead to contention. Romans 14:16, in the Geneva Bible, advises, "Cause not thy commoditie to be euill spoken of" [4]. This suggests that even good actions, if performed in a way that invites negative comparison or judgment, should be reconsidered. The book of Hosea also contains a warning against contention, stating, "But let no man contend; let no man offer reproof; for your people are like those who contend with a priest" [3]. This highlights the destructive nature of contentious comparison.
Even when presenting oneself as an example, as Paul does, it is done with the intention of pointing to a higher standard rather than inviting personal competition. Calvin, in his commentary on Genesis, observes a woman who exhibited "more than masculine mind in woman’s breast," and wished that men would be stimulated to "imitate her example" [9]. However, this is presented as an emulation of virtue, not a competitive striving for superiority. Jesus himself avoided using prayer as a means of drawing attention to himself, instructing followers to pray in private rather than publicly for show [8]. This reinforces the idea that spiritual practices should be focused on God, not on gaining human recognition or comparison.
Sources
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 4:6 (BBE) — My brothers, it is because of you that I have taken Apollos and myself as examples of these things, so that in us you might see that it is not wise to go farther than what is in the holy Writings, so that no one of you may be lifted up against his brother.”
- King James Version “[KJV] 2 Corinthians 10:12 — For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”
- Hosea “Hosea 4:4 (BSB) — But let no man contend; let no man offer reproof; for your people are like those who contend with a priest.”
- Romans “Romans 14:16 (Geneva1599) — Cause not your commoditie to be euill spoken of.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Ambition — God condemns -- Ge 11:7; Isa 5:8. Christ condemns -- Mt 18:1,3,4; 20:25,26; 23:11,12. Saints avoid -- Ps 131:1,2. Vanity of -- Job 20:5-9; 24:24; Ps 49:11-20. Leads to strife and contention -- Jas 4:1,2. Punishment of -- Pr 17:19; Isa 14:12-15; Eze 31:10,11; Ob 1:3,4. Connected with Pride. -- Hab 2:5. Covetousness. -- Hab 2:8,9. Cruelty. -- Hab 2:12. Exemplified Adam and Eve. -- Ge 3:5,6. Builders of Babel. -- Ge 11:4. Miriam and Aaron. -- Nu 12:2. Korah, &c. -- Nu 16:3. Absalom. -- 2Sa 15:4; 18:18. Adonijah. -- 1Ki 1:5. Sennacherib. -- 2Ki 19:23. Shebna. ”
- Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 6:4: Prove his own work - Let him examine himself and his conduct by the words and example of Christ; and if he find that they bear this touchstone, then he shall have rejoicing in himself alone, feeling that he resembles his Lord and Master, and not in another - not derive his consolation from comparing himself with another who may be weaker, or less instructed than himself. The only rule for a Christian is the word of Christ; the only pattern for his imitation is the example of Christ. He should not compare himself with others; they are not his standard. Christ hath ”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:6: 6:6 go away by yourself: Jesus is not prohibiting corporate prayer (see 18:19-20; Luke 11:2-4) but is instructing his followers to avoid using prayer as a means of drawing attention to themselves.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 3.3: rendered evident by convincing proofs, that she carried a more than masculine mind in woman’s breast. And I wish that at length even men may be put to shame, and that useful emulation may stimulate them to imitate her example. For she conducted herself with such peculiar modesty, that scarcely any one would have supposed her capable of thus enduring the most violent attacks, and, at the same time, of courageously repelling them. Besides, how keenly God exercised her with internal conflicts but few persons are witnesses, of whom, ho”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 10:13: not boast . . . without . . . measure--Greek, "to unmeasured bounds." There is no limit to a man's high opinion of himself, so long as he measures himself by himself (Co2 10:13) and his fellows, and does not compare himself with his superiors. It marks the personal character of this Epistle that the word "boast" occurs twenty-nine times in it, and only twenty-six times in all the other Epistles put together. Undeterred by the charge of vanity, he felt he must vindicate his apostolic authority by facts [CONYBEARE and HOWSON]. It would be to "boa”