What proof did Paul have that his ministry was genuine?
Paul’s proof was the converted pagans themselves—those saved and set on the rock Christ Jesus. He had no letters of commendation from Peter or the twelve in Jerusalem; instead, these saved Gentiles served as the evidence that his ministry was genuine.
Les explains that Paul was constantly undermined by Judaizers from Israel, by the pagan world, and even by believing Jews from the element of the twelve in Jerusalem, who accused him of being an imposter and a false teacher because he lacked credentials. If he had letters of commendation from Peter, he would have had fewer problems, but he did not. All he had for proof of his ministry were these pagans who had been saved and set on the rock Christ Jesus, and that was proving it. Les then moves to 2 Corinthians verse 4, where Paul says he would do nothing that could blame the ministry but approved himself as a minister not of Jerusalem, Judaism, Peter and the eleven, but the minister of whom—leaving the contrast for the following verses.