Why did Paul have to affirm his authority as an apostle to the Corinthians?
Paul had to affirm his apostolic authority because the Corinthians were trying to put him down as of no count. They compelled him to defend his credentials, though he disliked glorying. He asserted he was not behind the chiefest apostles, not because of the Twelve in Jerusalem, but because of his loyalty to Christ.
Les explains that Paul did not enjoy bringing up his own credentials. He said, "I am become a fool in glorying," because the Corinthians were trying to put him down as of no count, so he had to let them know his authority as an apostle. He told them they had compelled him, and that 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. Paul declared he was in nothing behind the very chiefest apostles, yet in himself he was nothing, and he never took the credit. Les stresses that Paul constantly had to affirm his apostleship, and this is something believers must overcome today as well.
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 credentials did Paul lack that the Corinthians used against him?
Paul lacked the credentials the Corinthians wanted: he had no authority, no letters of commendation, and could not say he had ministered with Christ for three years as Peter could.
Why did Paul boast about his credentials if he didn't want to?
Paul was reluctant to recite his own credentials — he called it becoming a fool in glorying — but he did it because the Corinthians were dismissing him as of no account.
Was Paul behind the chiefest apostles?
Paul claimed he was in no way behind the very chiefest apostles.