Why did Paul boast about his apostleship if he didn't like talking about himself?
Paul boasted reluctantly because the Corinthians compelled him: they were trying to put him down as of no count, so he had to affirm his authority as an apostle. He called it foolish glorying, took no credit in himself, yet showed he was not behind the chiefest apostles.
Les explains that Paul did not enjoy having to bring up his own credentials. In chapter 12, verse 11, Paul says a third time in just a few verses, “I am become a fool in glorying.” Yet he told the Corinthians he had to do it because they were trying to put him down as of no count, so he had to let them know his authority as an apostle. They compelled him; he ought to have been commended by them, not because of the preaching of the Twelve in Jerusalem, but because of his loyalty to Christ. He declares he is in nothing behind the very chiefest apostles, though in himself he is nothing. He never took the credit, but he constantly had to affirm his apostleship. Les stresses that same need in this day and age.
I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
More Questions
What did Paul say about himself in relation to the chiefest apostles?
Even though Paul said he was not behind the chiefest apostles, he also said that in himself he is nothing.
How could Paul say he was not behind the chief apostles yet also say he was nothing?
Even while insisting he was not one whit behind the chiefest apostles, Paul regarded himself as nothing in himself and never took any of the credit.
What did Paul mean when he said he was not behind the very chiefest apostles?
Paul declares he is not one whit behind the very chiefest of apostles, yet in himself he is nothing — a striking statement that he himself acknowledged.