(7) Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's. (8) For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: (9) That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. (10) For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. (11) Let such a one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present. (12) For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. (13) But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. (14) For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: (15) Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labors; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, (16) To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand. (17) But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (18) For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
It appears, from the whole of what is here said, that the faithful services of Paul, met with a very unkind reception, from those which owed him a different treatment. But so it is. And, no doubt, highly proper it should be. Holy men of old felt all this, but shrunk not from duty. Their object was, to shew themselves approved of God, not man. The scourge of tongues can hurt no further than the Lord permits. And, while Jesus smiles, it matters not who frowns. And perhaps, these very Corinthians, were at length subdued, and won over, by the conciliating spirit of the Apostle. Faithfulness is sure in the end, to be successful. And, in the mean time, that sweet promise to Christ, in Him, belongs also to all his seed. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee, in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me saith the Lord, Isaiah 54:17.