2 Corinthians 5:12; We Commend Not Ourselves

2 Corinthians 5:12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.

The Apostle Paul is not involved in any self-praise. Rather, he wanted to ensure that he defend the authenticity of his ministry. Being attacked, he sought to defend his position as God’s servant. William MacDonald said well, “He wanted the believers to know how to answer these attacks on him, and so he was giving them this information that they might be able to defend him when he was condemned in their presence.”

These critics were exposed by the Apostle Paul as insincere, who glory in appearance but they were not serving the Lord Christ. Meeting the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, he was gloriously saved and commissioned as an apostle to the gentiles – Acts 26:15-18 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and fromt he power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 

The Apostle Paul did not buckle under the weight of pressure to discredit his ministry but was steadfast holding on to Christ and His commission. Thank God for true servants of God who serve Christ providing for us an example. Amen.