This is a good point in Paul's refutation. Paul disparages the authority and
dignity of the true apostles. He says of them, "Which seemed to be somewhat."
The authority of the apostles was indeed great in all the churches. Paul did
not want to detract from their authority, but he had to speak disparagingly
of their authority in order to conserve the truth of the Gospel, and the
liberty of conscience.

The false apostles used this argument against Paul: "The apostles lived with
Christ for three years. They heard His sermons. They witnessed His miracles.
They themselves preached and performed miracles while Christ was on earth.
Paul never saw Jesus in the flesh. Now, whom ought you to believe: Paul, who
stands alone, a mere disciple of the apostles, one of the last and least; or
will you believe those grand apostles who were sent and confirmed by Christ
Himself long before Paul?"

What could Paul say to that? He answered: "What they say has no bearing on
the argument. If the apostles were angels from heaven, that would not impress
me. We are not now discussing the excellency of the apostles. We are talking
about the Word of God now, and the truth of the Gospel. That Gospel is more
excellent than all apostles.


VERSE 6. God accepteth no man's person.

Paul is quoting Moses: "Thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor
honor the person of the mighty." (Lev. 19:15) This quotation from Moses ought
to shut the mouths of the false apostles. "Don't you know that God is no
respecter of persons?" cries Paul. The dignity or authority of men means
nothing to God. The fact is that God often rejects just such who stand in the