2 Corinthians 12:6

For if I should desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that which he seeth me to be, or heareth from me.

The first half of this was paraphrased by Wesley thus, "It could not justly be accounted folly to relate the naked truth."[12] There is also an insinuation here that the wicked "apostles" in Corinth were not telling the truth. Regarding the second half of this verse, Carver said that one of the great reasons for Paul's refusal to go any further with his narration of visions was that "he did not want anyone to form an estimate of him that goes beyond what he sees in Paul or hears from him."[13] Macknight interpreted these lines as follows:

He showed them the absurdity of fancying that the whole of a teacher's merit lies in the gracefulness of his person, in the nice arrangement of his words, and in the melodious tones with which he pronounces his discourses.[14]

Those things, of course, were the principal commendations of the false teachers at Corinth. It would appear, however, that Filson really got to the heart of Paul's message here, saying:

To recount further instances (of his visions) would be speaking the truth; but he refrains so they may judge him, not by his secret visions, which could be challenged by hostile men, but by what he had done.[15]

[12] John Wesley, op. cit., in loco.

[13] Frank G. Carver, Beacon Bible Commentary (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press, 1968), p. 624.

[14] James Macknight, Apostolical Epistles and Commentary (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1969), p. 455.

[15] Floyd V. Filson, op. cit., p. 406.