2 Corinthians 11:5

The "eminent apostles" were probably the false apostles who claimed to be eminent rather than the other genuine apostles. [Note: Hughes, pp. 378-80; Richard Lenski, The Interpretation of St. Paul’s First and Second Epistles to the Corinthians, pp. 1245-7; Plummer, pp. 298-9; Tasker, pp. 148-9; Barnett, pp. 50708; Martin, p. 337; Wiersbe, 1:669.] The context supports this interpretation as does the rare term translated "eminent" (NASB, Gr. huperlian apostolon, lit. "exceedingly beyond apostles"). It is perhaps a term more appropriate to phonies claiming apostleship than to genuine apostles. However this term may have been one that Paul’s critics used to describe the Twelve in contrast to Paul (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:11-12). [Note: Bruce, pp. 236-7; Hodge, p. 256; Kent, pp. 164-5; Harris, p. 386; Lowery, p. 580.] By elevating the Twelve exceedingly they effectively denigrated the apostle to the Gentiles. Whichever view is correct the meaning is clear. Paul’s foes were claiming that he was an inferior apostle.

This is the third reason the readers should bear with Paul (2 Corinthians 11:1). He claimed that he was not inferior to these "super-apostles."