Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord The strict judgment which must then pass on all impenitent sinners; we the more earnestly persuade men To repent and believe the gospel, that, instead of being objects of the divine wrath, they may live and die happy in his favour. But, as we are made manifest to God And he knows our integrity; I trust also it is evident to you. For we commend not ourselves We do not say this as if we thought there was any need of again recommending ourselves to you, but give you occasion to glory To rejoice and praise God, and furnish you with an answer to those false apostles; who glory in appearance, but not in heart We may infer from this, and from the beginning of chap. 3., that some of the Corinthians were disposed to represent the care which Paul took to vindicate himself, as pride and vainglory. On the other hand, it seems they would have interpreted his silence as the effect of guilt and confusion. He therefore plainly and very properly tells them, that he said this only in his own necessary defence; and to furnish his friends with an answer to those whose consciences condemned them, while they endeavoured to asperse him.
Related Commentaries of 2 Corinthians 5:11
2 Corinthians 5:11-12
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance,b and not in heart.