Charles Spurgeon Commentary 2 Corinthians 5:12-13

"We are not again commending ourselves unto you, but [speak] as giving you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have wherewith to answer them that glory in appearance, and not in heart. For whether we are beside ourselves, it is unto God; or whether we are of sober mind, it is unto you." — 2 Corinthians 5:12-13 (ASV)

For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

Happy Paul who, as a preacher of the gospel, could write, "If you say that we are beside ourselves, that we are really mad about religious matters, — well, it is to God that we are so." It is not every madman who can say that. "Or if you tell us that we are too serious and sober, it is your case, your cause, that makes us so." We may well be sober and solemn when we think of the danger in which men's souls continually are.