John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 5:12

"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." — 2 Corinthians 5:12 (ASV)

For we commend not ourselves. He confirms what he had said immediately before, and at the same time anticipates a slander that could be made against him. For it might seem as if he were too concerned about his own praise, since he spoke so frequently about himself. Indeed, it is probable that this criticism had been directed at him by the wicked. For when he says—We commend not ourselves again, he says this as if speaking for himself. To commend is taken in a bad sense, meaning to boast or to brag.

When he adds that he gives them reason to glory, he intimates several things:

• Firstly, that he pleads their cause rather than his own, since he gives up all for the sake of their glory.
• Secondly, he again indirectly criticizes their ingratitude, because they had not perceived it to be their duty to exalt his apostleship of their own accord, so that they would not force this necessity upon him.
• And furthermore, because they had not perceived that it was their interest, rather than Paul’s own, that his apostleship should be considered honorable.

We are here taught that Christ’s servants ought to be concerned about their own reputation only insofar as it is for the advantage of the Church. Paul affirms with truth that he is motivated by this disposition. Let others ensure that they do not pretend to follow his example on false grounds.

We are further taught that that alone is a minister’s true praise which is common to him with the whole Church, rather than unique to himself alone—in other words, that which benefits everyone.

That you may have something in opposition to those. He intimates, in passing, that it is necessary to suppress the vanity of those who make empty boasts, and that it is the duty of the Church to do so. For as ambition of this nature is a particularly destructive plague, it is dangerous to encourage it by concealment. Since the Corinthians had not been careful to do this, Paul instructs them how they should act in the future.

To glory in appearance, not in heart, is to disguise oneself with outward show and to consider sincerity of heart as having no value; for those who are truly wise will never glory but in God. (1 Corinthians 1:31). But wherever there is empty show, there is no sincerity and no integrity of heart.