What did the Judaizers say to undermine Paul's apostleship?
The Judaizers undermined Paul’s apostleship by claiming Peter had spent three years with the Lord, that Peter was their spokesman, and that Peter was the one they would listen to. They elevated Peter’s firsthand association with Christ to discredit Paul’s authority as an apostle.
Les explains that throughout the Corinthian letters Paul is especially defending his apostleship because everywhere he went the Judaizers tried to undermine him. Their argument was that Peter had spent three years with the Lord, so Peter was their spokesman and the one they would listen to. They used Peter’s firsthand association with Christ to challenge Paul’s authority. Paul faced satanic opposition from every direction as he ministered among the Gentiles, and at times he grew weary and despaired even of life itself. Other factions also made similar claims.