Yes, Paul justifies his boasting by stating that his critics compelled him to do so.
Paul says, 'You have compelled me' (2 Corinthians 12:11), referring to the constant accusations that he was not a rightful apostle. Les Feldick explains that because Paul lacked the credentials of the Twelve (walking with Jesus), he had to constantly affirm his divine appointment and revelations. Thus his boasting was not self-promotion but a necessary defense of his God-given authority.
2 Corinthians 12:11 — Paul directly states that he was compelled to boast by his critics.
In 2 Corinthians 12:11, Paul says, '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.' This indicates that his boasting was forced by the need to defend his apostleship against critics. He also compares himself to the twelve apostles in 2 Corinthians 11:22, saying he is equally a Hebrew, an Israelite, and a seed of Abraham. In Romans 11:13, he speaks of his unique role as 'the apostle of the Gentiles' and says he magnifies his office.
Les Feldick teaches that Paul's boasting was a response to constant accusations that he was not a legitimate apostle because he had not walked with Jesus like Peter, James, and John. Paul was forced to defend his apostleship by pointing to the revelations he received from the ascended Lord and the proof of his ministry—the converts from paganism. Les emphasizes that Paul was not one whit behind the 'very chiefest apostles' and that his unique role as the apostle to the Gentiles was God's design.
Paul was compelled because his opponents constantly accused him of lacking apostolic authority. He had no letters of commendation and could not claim to have walked with Christ during His earthly ministry. Therefore, he had to affirm his authority by pointing to his revelations and his successful ministry among the Gentiles.
Paul proved his apostleship through the evidence of changed lives. He reminded the Corinthians that they themselves were the proof, as they had been saved out of paganism through his preaching. Additionally, he claimed to be the apostle of the Gentiles and pointed to the revelations he received directly from the ascended Lord.
Comparison to the Twelve
Les notes Paul's claim that he is not inferior to the twelve in genealogy or as a minister of Christ, based on his revelations from the ascended Christ.
Compelled to Boast
Les explains that Paul was forced to boast because of 'constant accusing' that he was not a rightful apostle.
Defending Apostleship
Les stresses that Paul constantly defended his apostleship because people accused him of being an imposter, but he had received revelations.
Not Behind the Chiefest
Les highlights Paul's statement that he was 'not one whit behind the very chiefest apostles' despite feeling like nothing in himself.
Apostle of the Gentiles
Les points out that Paul was the unique apostle to the Gentiles and did not share that role with the twelve.
Proof in Converts
Les teaches that Paul pointed to the Corinthians as proof of his apostleship, since they were saved out of paganism through his preaching.
Accusation of Not Walking with Jesus
Les mentions the constant complaint that Paul wasn't one of the Twelve, which forced him to prove his apostleship.
Unique Revelations
Les emphasizes that Paul claimed to and he alone received the doctrines of grace, and he magnified his office as apostle to the Gentiles.
2 Corinthians 12:11: 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.
Paul directly states that he was forced to boast by his critics.
2 Corinthians 11:22: Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
Paul lists his Jewish credentials to argue he is not inferior to the twelve.
Romans 11:13: For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
Paul affirms his unique role as apostle to the Gentiles.
Paul said he was 'nothing' in himself, but he also claimed he was 'not one whit behind the very chiefest apostles' in terms of revelations and authority. Les Feldick explains that Paul acknowledged his unworthiness but had to affirm his apostolic credentials for his Gentile converts.
Les Feldick says the main complaint was that Paul had not walked with Jesus for three years like Peter, James, and John did. This led to accusations that he was an imposter or heretic.
Paul pointed to the revelations he received from the ascended Lord and to the lives changed by his preaching, especially the Corinthians themselves. He also emphasized his unique role as the apostle to the Gentiles.
Watch the Teaching: Caught Up to the Third Heaven — 2 Corinthians 12 Explained