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.
'We do not presume (irony.) to judge ourselves among, or in comparison with, some of them that command themselves.' The charge brought against him of commending himself (2 Corinthians 3:1; 2 Corinthians 5:12) really holds good of the false teachers. The phrase, 'judge ourselves of the number,' is drawn from the testing of athletes and senators, the 'approved' being set on the roll (Wahl).
Measuring themselves by themselves - `among themselves,' to correspond to the previous 'judge ourselves among them.' Instead of the public standard, they measure themselves by one made by themselves: they do not compare themselves with others who excel them, but with those like themselves; hence, their high self-esteem. The one-eyed is easily king among the blind.
Are not wise, х ou (G3756) suniasin (G4920), A B C: sunisasin, 'Aleph (')] - with all their boasted "wisdom" (1 Corinthians 1:19-26).