Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Corinthians 10:7

"Ye look at the things that are before your face. If any man trusteth in himself that he is Christ`s, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christ`s, so also are we." — 2 Corinthians 10:7 (ASV)

Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? This is addressed evidently to the members of the church, and with reference to the claims which had been set up by the false teachers. There can be no doubt that they valued themselves on their external advantages, and claimed special honor in the work of the ministry, because they were superior in personal appearance, in rank, manners, or eloquence to Paul.

Paul reproves them for judging this way, and assures them that this was not a proper criterion by which to determine qualifications for the apostolic office. Such things were highly valued among the Greeks, and a considerable part of Paul's effort in these letters is to show that these things constitute no evidence that those who possessed them were sent from God.

If any man trust to himself, etc. This refers to the false teachers who claimed to be the followers of Christ in a special way. Whoever these teachers were, it is evident that they claimed to be on Christ's side and to be appointed by him. They were probably Jews, and they boasted of their talents and eloquence, and possibly that they had seen the Savior.

The phrase "trust to himself" seems to imply that they relied on some special merit of their own, or some special advantage they had—Bloomfield. It may have been that they were of the same tribe as he was, or that they had seen him, or that they confided in their own talents or endowments as proof that they had been sent by him. It is not an uncommon thing for people to have such confidence in their own gifts, particularly in the ability to speak fluently, as to suppose that this is sufficient evidence that they are sent to preach the gospel.

Let him of himself think this again. Since he relies so much on himself; since he has such confidence in his own powers, let him look at the evidence that I also am of Christ.

That, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's. That I have given as much evidence that I am commissioned by Christ as they can produce.

It may be of a different kind. It is not in eloquence, rank, or the gift of rapid and ready elocution, but it may be superior to what they are able to produce. Probably Paul refers here to the fact that he had seen the Lord Jesus and had been directly commissioned by him. The sense is that no one could produce more proofs of being called to the ministry than he could.