There is a time for everything, including boasting. A day will come when we will be able to boast about our work obeying the gospel. The time of the gospel is when efforts are made to expand the work of the gospel. Paul would boast, but only within the field God had assigned to him (13). His field was assigned when the Lord Jesus called him. He was sent to the Gentiles, and throughout his ministry, the Holy Spirit led him to the field where he was to share the gospel and raise those who believed to grow into mature believers in Jesus.
Paul got as far as Corinth in his ministry of reconciliation. (14) He had not yet gone beyond to Rome and Spain, though he wanted and prayed to. (15a; Romans 15:23-33) he hoped that as the congregation in Corinth continued to grow, his area of activity among then will greatly expand, so that he would entrust the leadership to the local congregation and move on to other places. (15b-16)
So when is the day to boast of the gospel work? The time to boast of the work done is at the judgment seat of Christ. All must stand before Jesus and give an account of the things done while in the flesh. Several of Jesus’ parables teach this. (Luke 16:2) Romans 14:10-12 says, “You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’ So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Hebrews 13:17 says leaders “must give an account.” Will you be able to boast that you advanced the gospel?
