‘For neither at any time were we found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a pretext resulting from greed. God is witness. Nor seeking glory of men, neither from you nor from others, when we might have been burdensome as Apostles of Christ.'
They were not like professional philosophers who went around in their philosophers' cloaks, giving men what they wanted to hear so that they would feel self-satisfied, and seeking payment for their teaching. Who put on a pretence because of their greed, as they angled for money and admiration. But Paul and his companions were not interested in pleasing men in their teaching, and lulling them into a feeling of satisfaction and wellbeing so that they would receive a reward. They were not in it for money or for prestige or for hero worship. Indeed they refrained from seeking in any way to benefit financially, even though as the Apostles of Christ they would have had a right to hospitality and assistance (Matthew 10:10-11).
‘Seeking glory from men.' The idea here is of being exalted in men's eyes as spiritual superiors and mentors so that people paid over money or rendered honour.
‘Apostles of Christ.' The word is used, with rare exceptions, only of the twelve, Paul and Barnabas (‘the Apostles to the Gentiles') and possibly of James, the Lord's brother (see 1 Corinthians 9:5; Galatians 1:11 to Gal 2:9; 1 Corinthians 15:5-7; Acts 1:26). They uniquely represented Christ. The word Apostle has similarities with the Hebrew shaliach, someone sent as a representative so that he stood in the other's place. It was an authority that could not be transmitted. The idea related mainly to having personally known the Lord (Acts 1:21), of being specifically appointed by Christ (Matthias through the lot) and of being the vehicles of special revelation from God (John 14-16; Galatians 1:12). Here Silvanus is included as sharing Paul's Apostleship in a secondary way because of his close association with Paul in his Apostolic ministry. It includes a little more than just a messenger. It stresses their right to give authoritative teaching. But he is never directly called an Apostle.