Why is Paul not bragging when he speaks in the first person about himself?
Paul is not bragging because he writes by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Every word he pens, even when he commends himself, is Holy Spirit inspired. Therefore his first-person references to himself are not self-exaltation but Spirit-inspired communication, not personal boasting or braggadocio.
Les teaches that when Paul speaks in the first person about himself, he is not being braggadocio. Paul is writing by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and every word—even when he commends himself—is Holy Spirit inspired. Les emphasizes that this must not be forgotten. The point is that Paul’s self-references are not personal bragging; they are part of inspired Scripture, as in verse 10, where Paul speaks of the grace of God given unto him.