2 Corinthians 5:12 - Exposition

For we commend not ourselves again unto you. Still reverting to the charge that he was guilty of self praise, he says that his object is not this, for it was needless ( 2 Corinthians 3:2 , 2 Corinthians 3:3 ). But give you occasion to glory on our behalf. But we speak as we have done to give you a starling-point for something to boast of on our behalf. He has already said ( 2 Corinthians 1:4 ) that the teachers and the taught in their mutual affection ought to have some ground for "boasting" ( i.e. for speaking with some praise and exultation) of each other. The Corinthians were being robbed of this by the interested lies of St. Paul's opponents, who thought only about outward appearances. This is why no has set forth to them the aim and glory of his ministry. Nothing could be more gentle and forbearing than such a mode of stating his object. Yet for those who were sufficiently finely strung to understand it, there was an almost pathetic irony involved in it. Which glory in appearance, and not in heart; literally, in face . The grounds of their boasting, whatever they were, were superficial and external ( 2 Corinthians 10:7 ), not deep and sincere. But those who would judge of Paul aright must look into his very heart, and not on his face.