Paul engages in some tit-for-tat with the false teachers in Corinth, using the foolish ways they used to promote themselves. By doing so he demonstrated that he deserved the same respect and honor these men had received from the Corinthians if their earthly criteria were the true measure of value in ministry.

We can be grateful that Paul engaged in this little bit of foolishness, for in doing so he reveals the high cost he paid to exercise genuine ministry. There are significant lessons for all Christians today, but especially for leaders, in Paul's example.