"What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly in this confidence of boasting" (2 Cor. 11:17).
Up to this point, Paul had, in a sense, boasted about himself and his superiority to prove a point, that he was an apostle of Christ. But it was likely that some of the Corinthians would criticize him for defending himself, for writing about his qualifications, and being confident that he was indeed called by Christ to minister to His church. They might have taunted him, saying, “Aren’t true Christians to think lowly of themselves, to humble themselves, to turn the other cheek when accused by others?” Paul anticipated this criticism and deals with it in the letter.
While it is true that a Christian should be humble, should not seek to vindicate himself against every accusation, there is a time and a place to stand for the truth, to defend one’s self against the onslaught of slander that can often come from the enemy camp. Ordinarily, it would be wise for a Christian to refrain from singing his own praises, from pointing out his superiority to others even in the area of ministry. But Paul, obviously, discerned that this was one circumstance where he needed to defend himself, not because he was worried about his own reputation but because he was concerned that the name of Christ not be blasphemed and that the Corinthians not be led astray by false apostles.
He does, however, insert a caution for us to follow. Paul realized that defending one’s self in the way he had done was not the norm. This is what he meant when he said that he did not speak “according to the ford.” He did not want the Corinthians to think that boasting of ourselves is commanded by the Lord in general to Christians. Neither is it always necessary for us to answer slander. While it is certainly not unlawful for us to defend ourselves, Paul says that we are not commanded to defend ourselves. “It is the duty and practice of Christians, in obedience to the command and example of the Lord, rather to humble and abase themselves,” Matthew Henry wrote. Yet prudence must direct us to know when we should speak on our own behalf. In Paul’s case, it was prudent to speak, especially because the Corinthians tolerated the vain boasting of the false apostles, so why should they not tolerate Paul’s boasting? But sometimes, as in the example of our Lord, we should remain silent.
Are you quick to defend yourself when someone unjustly criticizes you? Do you take the position that you should always speak on your own behalf? Do you take the position that you should never speak? There is a balance, as indicated by Paul. Before you defend yourself, pray about it and seek godly counsel.
