5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.
5 Of such a one I will boast;
Paul had good reason to glory or boast, but he would speak as a fool if he did. Rather, he emphasized his weaknesses.
yet of [concerning] myself I will not boast,
Paul would boast of the man caught up to heaven, but not because of anything attributed to himself.
except in my infirmities.
The apostle would boast of this man or himself in his weaknesses or infirmities. He boasted in the sequel to his visions and revelations, which was his humiliation.
PRINCIPLE:
Validation of ministry comes through what God does through us.
APPLICATION:
What should matter to us is not our achievements but what God does through us. How we handle infirmities and problems in life will reflect on God’s glory, which demonstrates authenticity.
Grace is foundational to Paul’s existence, as he explained in 2 Corinthians 12:9. Validation of ministry does not come from self-endorsement or ecstatic experience but from God, who works through us. Faithful teaching of God’s Word is what ultimately counts in God’s eyes.
