Greetings once more, and welcome back to Daily Bread. There are times in all of our lives when we just have to let off a little steam, and that was no different for Paul either. In this chapter, Paul begins with a word of caution about false apostles, because he knows that from our hereditary inclination to sin, we need reminders ... Repeatedly. Then he takes the opportunity to do some rightly deserved bragging, along with some constructive criticism for those Corinthians who remain apprehensive to accept his authority as an Apostle. Remember, that this letter, although it has a lot of recall about the people of Corinth being led astray by rumors, it’s main objective was to be sort of a thank you note to those who repented after they were led back to the TRUTH. But as in every congregation, there will remain a few skeptics who need admonition above and beyond the majority.

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For I believe I was not the least bit inferior to the very chiefest Apostles.
But though I am plain in speech, yet not in knowledge;
we have been made completely clear among you in all things.
 

You have to smile when you read Paul’s frankness. Basically, he just said, Hey, I rank right up there with all the top Apostles. And I may not talk with pretty words, but I’m no dummy, and we never hid anything from you.

Have I committed an offence in humbling myself so that you might be exalted,
because I have preached to you the Gospel of God freely?
I even robbed other churches, taking wages from them, to do you service.

And when I was present with you, and in need of things,
I was an expense to no one:
and whatever I needed,
the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied:
and in all things I have kept myself from costing you anything,
and I will remain that way.
As the truth of Christ is in me,
no man shall stop me from boasting about this in the regions of Achaia.
Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows I do.

This is a really admirable way of thinking that Paul just shared. Paul felt it was so important that he was no trouble to anyone, that he even thought that taking money from other churches for his ministry, was robbery (though all churches are one body in Christ). Another thing that Paul points out is that evil just can’t wait for an opportunity to do it’s work. However, if the opportunity never arises, it can’t do anything. So, if evil works through people, and we do things that can prevent it from occurring, then, the person who it may have worked through, is saved from doing evil. But, we have to be one step ahead of evil, because it camouflages itself sometimes in things that we don’t expect, as Paul explains:

For this is the manner of false apostles, deceitful workers,
disguising themselves as the Apostles of Christ.
And that’s no surprise, because even Satan himself,
changes himself into an angel of light.
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also
are transformed as the ministers of righteousness;
whose end shall be according to their works.

           Now, this is the part where Paul does a little boasting, and watch out, because he can be very candid.

I say again, Let no man think I’m a fool;
but if anyone thinks differently, still,
as a fool tolerate me, that I may boast myself a little.
 

In other words, Paul says, I’m no fool, but even if you think I am, humor me anyway while I brag a bit!

That which I speak,
I speak it not after the Lord,
but as it were foolishly,
in this confidence of boasting.
 

Paul always makes it clear whenever he wants you to know that this isn’t a commandment of the Lord, and it is his own opinion.

Being that many people take pride in the flesh,
I’ll speak proudly too.
Because you allow fools gladly,
seeing you yourselves are wise.
 

Very clever of Paul. He’s saying, Since you allow fools to convince you of things so readily, Hey, I’ll be a fool for you, being that you’re so smart!

          Now, here’s the constructive criticism part:

And here’s the bragging part: In short, Paul is saying, If you believe in these people who are imposters of the Gospel, look at my credentials, am I not worth believing?

Nevertheless wherever anyone is bold,
(I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
Are they Hebrews? so am I.
Are they Israelites? so am I.
Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
Are they ministers of Christ?
(I speak as a fool) I am more;
in labors more abundant,
in stripes above measure,
in prisons more frequent,
in the grips of death often.