Have you ever had to speak up publicly against those who criticised you to defend yourself, so that people would continue to take you seriously?

In this chapter, Paul had no choice but to do so, because this was a matter of the Corinthian church’s perception of him, and this would affect his effectiveness as a minister of the gospel to them. Today we will take a closer look at his defense of himself and rebuke of his detractors within the Corinthian church.

“Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you…”

Paul opened this chapter by expressing a sincere wish that he would not need to be so “bold” when he next visited the Corinthians church (see verse 2). Yet he predicted that he would likely have to be “bold” to deal with those within the Corinthian church who thought of Paul as if he walked according to the flesh (see verse 2), and accordingly slandered him. Now what were Paul’s detractors saying and doing?

“…his bodily presence is weak and his speech contemptible…”

One of the attacks levied against Paul by his detractors was a criticism of Paul’s bodily presence and manner of speech. We don’t know what Paul’s physical stature or condition was like but if it was true that Paul’s eyesight was poor, then this could have contributed to an unimpressive physical presence when he had previously appeared before the Corinthian church. Paul’s detractors mocked him sorely for this, as if to say:

“...Paul’s bark is worse than his bite. When you read his letter he sounds like a Pittbull, but when you see him in real life he is just a chihuahua…”

They had attacked Paul’s physical appearance to undermine his authority and the weight of his words. Now why did they attack Paul’s physical appearance? Verse 2 tells us that they thought of Paul as if he was one who walked according to the flesh, and therefore Paul’s enemies thought that such attacks would be effective in discouraging Paul. As they walked according to the flesh themselves, they could not understand that spiritually Paul had already progressed to a point where these childish attacks would not hurt Paul.

Nevertheless Paul was concerned about the impact these words would have on the congregation to which he still had to minister. And therefore Paul reminded the church at large saying in verse 7, “Do you look at things according to the outward appearances?” It is not the outward appearances that one should esteem, but the message the worker of God brings. 

He also then asked his detractors to consider that just as they claimed to belong to Christ, so also Paul and his co-workers belonged to Christ (verse 7). Paul further reminded the readers that not only did he belong to Christ, but he also had the authority from God to instruct and rebuke for the edification of the church (verse 8).

Paul specially emphasized that this authority was for the edification and building up of the Corinthians and not to terrify or bring them shame (verse 8 and 9). This also probably is a defense and clarification on Paul’s part. It could be that when Paul’s detractors had said that Paul’s letters are weighty and powerful (see verse 10), they meant it in the sense that Paul’s letters were crushing and demoralising and not at all uplifting or beneficial to the congregation. In other words, they were saying that Paul’s epistles were not for the edification of the Corinthians but just to tear them down. This is why Paul had to defend himself and state that the aim of his epistles was for the edification of the church (verse 8).

In verse 11 Paul further warns his detractors, that contrary to their expectation, when he arrives, he will be exactly the same type of person he was as expressed by his epistles. He would not be some kind of yapping chihuahua they made him out to be, but rather come to them with the full weight and authority expressed in his writing (see verse 11).

“For he not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.”

Paul then goes on to shed more light about the behaviour of his detractors. One of the things they did was to “commend themselves” or boast of themselves (see verse 12 -13). And it is likely that they could boast of themselves because they measured themselves by themselves. Paul declared that this was unwise, and it is easy to see why. The effect of this is very dangerous. If one measures himself by himself, then he has made himself a god in place of the Lord.

By contrast Paul speaks of “not boasting beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us - a sphere which especially includes you” (see verse 13). Now what is he talking about? For Paul, to boast in the faith of the Corinthians to have hope that as their faith is increased, that Paul would then be able to preach the gospel in the regions beyond the Corinthians (verse 16). Paul’s glory was not his own glory but the will and the glory of the Lord. And this is why Paul finally concludes - let him who glories, glory in the Lord. Paul only sought approval from the Lord and that was why he sought only to do what the Lord approved.

As we read this chapter, let us consider if we in any way have ever acted in any way that resembles Paul’s detractors and hindered others who have sought to do God’s work. If so, let us quickly repent and seek to serve God with a sincere heart, just as Paul did.