2 Corinthians 4:5 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

For we preach not ourselves. — The words, like those about “commending ourselves,” imply a reference to something that had been said. He was charged with being egotistic in his preaching, perhaps with special reference to passages like 1 Corinthians 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 3:1-10; 1 Corinthians 4:11-13. He indignantly repudiates that charge. “Christ Jesus” had been all along the subject of his preaching. (Comp. 1 Corinthians 2:2.) So far as he had spoken of himself at all, it had been as a minister and servant for their sake (1 Corinthians 3:22-23; 1 Corinthians 9:19).