If Paul could have had what he really desired, he would have gladly let all the criticism slide by. But in this particular case he could not because of two things. First of all, he was concerned for the Corinthians. This was not just a matter of someone in a remote place saying something about Paul that would not do any damage anyway. This was being said by false apostles who had infiltrated the church at Corinth and who were taking the Corinthian believers into slavery to their false gospel. We know that because of the way Paul speaks in verses 19 and 20.

People like to defend themselves when they are under attack. Some people are often under attack, probably because they deserve it, so they get used to that and they like the role. But generally speaking, self-defense is a very unpleasant thing. It certainly is for Christians. The Bible tells us that vengeance belongs to God. Certainly it is in the spirit of that principle that Christians, even when they are most severely attacked, hold back and allow God in his own way, to defend them.

These super apostles were saying all kinds of negative things about Paul. They were saying he was not a trained speaker; that he was not a true apostle. Paul chose not to take any money for his preaching, and they were throwing that up in his face, saying that if he was a true apostle he would take money. Paul found himself in a no-win situation.

Watch out, though, if somebody says, "God told me...," and it is not based on Scripture. And above all if they say, "God has a special word for you in this age," watch out, because even if that were true, you would have no way of knowing it to be true unless you tested it by the Word of God.