2 Corinthians 5:13 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Whether we be beside ourselves,— From this verse to ch. 2 Corinthians 6:12. St. Paul gives another reason for his disinterested carriage in preaching the gospel; and that is, his love to Christ, who by his death having given him life, who was dead, he concludes, that in gratitude he ought not to live to himself any more: and therefore, being as in a new creation, he had now no longer any regard to the things of this world; but being made by God a minister of the gospel, he minded only the faithful discharge of his duty in that ministry, and pursuant thereunto took care that his behaviour should be such as he describes, ch. 2 Corinthians 6:3-10. Beside ourselves means, "in speaking well of myself in my own justification." Whoever observes what St. Paul says, ch. 2 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Corinthians 11:16; 2 Corinthians 11:21 2 Corinthians 12:6; 2 Corinthians 12:11 will scarcely doubt but that the speaking of himself as he did, was, by his enemies, called glorying, and imputed to him as folly and madness.