“Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?”
Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? — Paul addresses the demand for credentials. 'Letters of recommendation' (sustatikai epistolai) were common in antiquity; some at Corinth apparently demanded them. Paul's defensive tone suggests rivals produced such credentials.
Church Fathers on 2 Corinthians 3:1
He anticipates and puts himself an objection which others would have urged against him, 'You vaunt yourself;' and this though he had before employed so strong a corrective in the expressions, “Who is sufficient for these things?” and, “of sincerity...speak we.” 2 Corinthians 2:16-17 Howbeit he is not satisfied with these. For such is his character. From appearing to say anything great of himself he is far removed, and avoids it even to great superfluity and excess. And mark,…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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