Why is Paul defending his apostleship in 2 Corinthians 12:11?
Paul defends his apostleship because the Corinthians compelled him by belittling his authority in comparison to Peter, Apollos, and others, even though he had brought them out of pagan darkness as the apostle of the Gentiles. He had to demonstrate he was in no way behind the chiefest apostles, though he counted himself nothing.
Les teaches that in 2 Corinthians 12:11 Paul is again defending that apostleship and trying to show his authority as the apostle of the Gentiles. The Corinthians were putting him down, saying Peter had more authority, or that they followed what Jesus said, or Apollos. Paul says they compelled him to show his authority, though he should have been commended because he brought them out of pagan darkness, not Peter or Apollos. He says he is not behind the very chiefest apostles, though in humility he says he is nothing. His authority had become uppermost; the twelve were now behind him, because God had turned from Israel to the whole human race as part of the revelation of the mystery, the secret hidden in God but now revealed through this man. Les notes Paul faced opposition, as all in Asia turned against him.
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 mean by "you have compelled me" in 2 Corinthians 12:11?
When Paul says "I am become a fool in glorying, you have compelled me," he means the Corinthians were putting him down by saying Peter had more authority, that Peter was the big wheel in Jerusalem, that they go by what Jesus said rather than any man, and some even appealed to Apollos.
Who are the 'very chiefest apostles' Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 12:11?
The 'very chiefest apostles' Paul refers to in 2 Corinthians 12:11 are Peter, James, and John.
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.