2 Corinthians 3:1

Commend ourselves. In chapter 2:17 Paul contrasts himself and his co-workers with the false leaders who had gone to Corinth and corrupted the Word of God. There was a strong possibility that Paul’s clear statement might be misinterpreted and provoke criticism. Was Paul commending himself? Was he boasting and exalting himself and his co-workers? Had he not frequently referred to himself in glowing terms (1 Corinthians 2:6; 3:10; 4:1; 9:15)? Perhaps the false teachers had introduced themselves to the Corinthian believers by letters of recommendation from the church at Jerusalem, which would make it appear that they were actually in good and regular standing and had the backing of the apostles. Thus their credentials would appear to be better than those of Paul (cf. Acts 13:1-3; Galatians 2:7, 9). See on 2 Corinthians 5:12.

Commendation. Literally, “standing together,” meaning that the bearer of the letter was in good standing with the writer of the letter. Such a letter was intended to identify workers traveling in a region where they were not known personally, and thus to protect the churches against false teachers. Letters of introduction are mentioned repeatedly (Acts 18:27; Colossians 4:10). But there were spurious epistles, even as there were false apostles. Obviously the letters of commendation that some had presented at Corinth had been accepted as genuine. Evidently Paul had not carried identifying letters as a Christian missionary, and his critics at Corinth now disparaged him as an apostle and questioned his authority.