Credentials of a True Ministry. Paul, in response to claims from false apostles in Corinth, will present a positive testimony of his credentials in this section. In the first half of the chapter, he exposed the false apostles in Corinth, for they were preaching “another gospel” and discredited his apostleship.
Paul presents a positive testimony of credentials as a true minister of Christ. In earlier portions of the letter, he has compared himself with the false apostles, but not as thoroughly and specifically as he does in this passage. The subject has been building up to this climax, and Paul now feels compelled to submit a lengthy document of self-authentication (12:11). His motives in doing so remain selfless and constructive.
It is for the Corinthians’ sake that he is now going to match boldness with boldness, so that, acknowledging afresh what they have been tempted to forget, namely the HE IS THEIR TRUE GOSPELLER, they may reject the false apostles and their teachings and abide in the pure Christian truth in which they had been so earnestly instructed by him.
Often in my life, before I can take another step in my walk of faith, I need to remember some things and forget others. Often the things to forget are some new things I’ve heard and learned, and often the things to remember are things I learned long ago. Let us not forget what Christ has done, keep hope for what he will do, and be thankful for what he is doing right now.
