2 Corinthians 11:17-18

These two verses are probably parenthetical. Paul evidently knew that only such "boasting" would convince the minority of his own genuineness. Straightforward claims such as the Lord Jesus made would not.

"The reason for Paul’s embarrassment at this juncture is now given: self-commendation is not ’after the Lord’ [cf. Romans 15:5; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 2:8] but, the exact opposite, ’after the flesh’ [cf. 2 Corinthians 5:16], that is, typical of the old unregenerate nature whose values are dictated by the external, self-centered standards of this fallen world." [Note: Hughes, p. 397.]