What happened to the influence of the men who criticized Paul's ministry?
The men who criticized Paul's ministry no longer had the power and clout they thought they had; their influence was slipping away without their realizing it. They tried to elevate themselves and find fault with Paul, but in their lack of knowledge they did not understand what they were doing. Paul affirmed he was the apostle of the Gentiles.
Les explains that these critics came into the congregation finding fault with Paul and trying to elevate their own position, but in their lack of knowledge they really did not know what they were doing. Les points out that 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. Les connects this to Galatians 2, where Paul refers to the twelve in Jerusalem as men who seemed to be pillars, and Paul declares he is 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.