What is Paul saying in 2 Corinthians 10:12 about those who criticize him?
Paul refuses to compare himself with self-commending critics, who measure and compare themselves among themselves and are not one. He says they find fault with him and try to elevate their own position, but in their lack of knowledge they do not know what they are doing; their former power and clout are slipping away.
Les explains that Paul is addressing people who have come into the congregation finding fault with him and trying to elevate their own position, yet in their lack of knowledge they really do not know what they are doing. Paul says he will not compare himself with those who commend themselves, because they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves among themselves, and are not one. Les also notes that when Paul later writes Galatians, especially chapter 2, he refers to the twelve in Jerusalem as men who seemed to be pillars, which is exactly what this verse is saying. The men ridiculing and criticizing Paul’s ministry no longer had the power and clout they thought they had, and they had not realized it was slipping away. Paul then affirms, “I am the apostle of the Gentiles.”
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.