2 Corinthians 10:8

Paul said he could have said more about his apostolic authority without feeling shame about exaggerating. The facts spoke for themselves. However he did not want to put that kind of pressure on his opponents in a letter. They had charged that it was only in his letters that he could express himself forcefully. His reference to his authority for building up here seems intended to contrast his edifying ministry in Corinth with the destructive work of his critics (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:17).

Paul had stressed the divine origin of his call and gospel when he defended himself to the Galatians (Galatians 1:1; Galatians 1:11-12; Galatians 1:15-16). Here he stressed the divine origin of his authority (2 Corinthians 3:5-6; 2 Corinthians 13:10) and how he had used it for his readers’ good.