¹⁶… And who is adequate for these things? ¹⁷For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.

Paul’s critics were concerned with his motivation for preaching the gospel, so he felt compelled to defend himself. He could have lashed out at them as he did in his letter to the Romans concerning judging others, “Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls…” (Rom. 14:4). He could have dismissed the criticism, as he wrote earlier to the Corinthians, “But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court” (1 Cor. 4:4a). So why now, and further into 2 Corinthians, does Paul defend himself to them?

We don’t think the apostle was responding out of an inner need for their approval. One could not read his letters of terse correction against their selfish behavior and come to that conclusion. He was completely secure in his approval from a more significant source: “[J]ust as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts” (1 Thess. 2:4). His pure commitment should have been unquestionable. But sadly, the Corinthians still questioned his motives.

He of all people, who understood the glory and credit that goes to God for anything accomplished through his service, was humbled that God would use him. That is why he said, “And who is adequate for these things?” Adequate for what things? The previous verses speak of carrying the “fragrance of Christ” to all people. Paul felt completely unworthy. How ludicrous that anyone could think he preached the gospel for personal gain!

The NLT uses the word “huckster” for the NASB rendering of those who were “peddling the word of God.” The Greek lexicon describes the sense of this word as “to see or offer (second-hand goods) for sale from place to place; characterized by false and deceptive practices.” Sadly, today there are huckster-preachers who do bilk the masses out of their money, building enormous financial empires, owning luxury jets and large mansions, all in the name of the prosperity gospel. It was probably true of the early church as well. Not so the apostle Paul. He takes such accusations against himself as fighting words.

His defense is simply this: “ … but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.” He takes God as his witness. We can imagine Paul saying, with wry wit, “There are better ways of making money than suffering the way I have to preach the gospel!”

Lord, examine my heart to see what motivates me to serve You.