2 Corinthians 5:12

Paul insisted that he had bared his soul to his readers in the previous verses not to boast (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:1). He had written what he had to give his allies in Corinth ammunition to combat his critics whose judgments were wrong. He was simply reminding his original readers of things they should have remembered. The external appearances that Paul’s critics admired included physical relationship to Jesus during His earthly ministry (2 Corinthians 5:16), their Jewish orthodoxy (2 Corinthians 11:22), and their visions and revelations (2 Corinthians 12:1-7). The heart reality that Paul considered more important was the testimony of his clear conscience before God and people.

"His anomalous position as an apostle who was called directly by Christ and who did not belong to the college of the twelve disciples meant that he had no option but to appeal to that call. But this laid him open to the accusation that he was self-commended. In consequence, whenever he affirms his ministry-in this case that he evangelizes (’we persuade men’)-he must disclaim self-commendation (see on 2 Corinthians 3:1 and 2 Corinthians 6:4). Nonetheless, his ministry did commend him, as the Corinthians should have recognized (2 Corinthians 12:11; cf. 2 Corinthians 4:2, 2 Corinthians 10:18)." [Note: Barnett, p. 282.]