For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
The verse is a declaration that Paul was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles, but equal with them in standing, position, and authority, and the leading apostles meant are Peter, James, and John. His apostleship was by the power of God and not by the will of men, for those leading apostles did not instruct him or commission him to preach. God had called him to present the truth to the Gentiles just as Peter was designated to go especially to the Jews, and before the council at Jerusalem they were convinced of his divine commission and received him as a fellow laborer of equal position.
In that equality he stood as one of the most effectual missionary workers, proclaiming the truth as it is in Jesus. He was a clear, eloquent speaker who could meet his adversaries on almost any ground on which they chose to approach him. He made this defense of his apostolic authority against those who denied it, being forced to take a decided stand to maintain his position and authority. The pressure came from the opposition of enemies who extolled Peter, James, and John as superior in order to destroy his influence, and even from the course of his brethren.
He presented this proof not to exalt himself but to magnify the grace of God shown through his ministry. To belittle his calling and his work was to fight against Christ, whose grace and power were manifested through him. The chapter gives instruction against viewing matters by human eyesight and engaging in a work God has not appointed but has condemned, the work of criticizing others, climbing upon the judgment seat, and pronouncing sentence. Those who do this make very grave mistakes and hinder their own spiritual advancement. They should instead watchfully examine their own hearts, look well to their own shortcomings and defects of character, and remove from themselves the beam of faultfinding, evil surmising, evil speaking, bearing false witness, hatred, and accusing of the brethren.
The verse is a declaration that Paul was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles, but equal with them in standing, position, and authority, and the leading apostles meant are Peter, James, and John. His apostleship was by the power of God and not by the will of men, for those leading apostles did not instruct him or commission him to preach. God had called him to present the truth to the Gentiles just as Peter was designated to go especially to the Jews, and before the council at Jerusalem they were convinced of his divine commission and received him as a fellow laborer of equal position.
In that equality he stood as one of the most effectual missionary workers, proclaiming the truth as it is in Jesus. He was a clear, eloquent speaker who could meet his adversaries on almost any ground on which they chose to approach him. He made this defense of his apostolic authority against those who denied it, being forced to take a decided stand to maintain his position and authority. The pressure came from the opposition of enemies who extolled Peter, James, and John as superior in order to destroy his influence, and even from the course of his brethren.
He presented this proof not to exalt himself but to magnify the grace of God shown through his ministry. To belittle his calling and his work was to fight against Christ, whose grace and power were manifested through him. The chapter gives instruction against viewing matters by human eyesight and engaging in a work God has not appointed but has condemned, the work of criticizing others, climbing upon the judgment seat, and pronouncing sentence. Those who do this make very grave mistakes and hinder their own spiritual advancement. They should instead watchfully examine their own hearts, look well to their own shortcomings and defects of character, and remove from themselves the beam of faultfinding, evil surmising, evil speaking, bearing false witness, hatred, and accusing of the brethren.