2 Corinthians 10:18 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

For not he that commendeth himself is approved. — Again, as in 2 Corinthians 10:12 and five earlier passages (see reference there), we trace the impression which the stinging taunt had left on St. Paul’s mind. In the word “approved” there is possibly a reference to what had been said in 1 Corinthians 11:19. He had meant something more by it than meeting with men’s approval.