Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Corinthians 4:5

"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus` sake." — 2 Corinthians 4:5 (ASV)

Though Paul might have been forced to commend himself to everyone’s conscience (v.2; cf. 1:12; 6:4), he never advertised or preached himself. The essence of his Gospel was the proclamation of “Jesus Christ as Lord” (Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Colossians 2:6), a message faithfully delivered by him and eagerly embraced by the Corinthians. Paul saw himself related to his converts, not as a spiritual overlord (1:24) but as a willing servant. In this he followed in the footsteps of “the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:8), who himself had adopted the status and role of a servant (cf. Romans 15:8).