I say again, let no man think me a fool
For praising himself, or speaking in his own commendation; which
he was obliged to do, in vindication of his own character,
against the false apostles, for the sake of the Gospel he
preached, and for the advantage and welfare of the Corinthians;
that they might not be imposed upon and carried away with the
insinuations of these deceitful men; wherefore he desires them
once more, that if he must be accounted a fool for speaking in
his own behalf;
if otherwise,
says he, if they could not be persuaded that he acted a wise
part, but must be looked upon as a fool, for what he said of
himself,
yet as a fool receive me;
or "suffer me", or bear with my folly: he desires that he might
have, and use the liberty which fools have usually granted to
them, to speak out the truth, and all they know, which is not
always allowed to wise men:
that I may boast myself a little;
in a few instances, and for a small space of time; he suggests,
that the false apostles boasted much of themselves, and they bore
with them, and had done so for a great while; and therefore it
was no unreasonable request he made, that they would also suffer
him to boast of himself a little, especially since there was such
an absolute necessity for it.
