Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
That which I speak^ o \a\Zi. The apostle uses XaXcu and not Aeyo), because the reference is not to any definite words which he had uttered, but general — my talk, or language. Is not after the Lord., i. e. is not such as characterized Christ, or becomes his discij^les. Our Lord was no boaster, and his Spirit does not lead any one to boast. This is very common- ly regarded as a denial of inspiration, or divine guidance in these utterances. Even Bengel says, " Whatever Paul wrote without this express exception, was inspired and spoken after the Lord ; " and Meyer says, ov XaXC) Kara Kvpiov, negirt aller- dings den theopneusten Charakter der Rede. This arises from a misconception of the nature and design of inspiration. The simple end of inspiration is to secure infallibility in the communication of truth. It is not designed to sanctify ; it does not preclude the natural i^lay of the intellect or of the feelings. When Paul called the High Priest a " whited wall," Acts 23, 3, although he apologized for it, he was as much in- spired as when he wrote his epistle to the Ephesians. Even supposing therefore that there was something of human weak- ness in his boasting, that would not prove that he was not under the inspiration of God in saying that he boasted, or in saying that boasting was folly. But this assumption is un- necessary. There Avas nothing wrong in his self-laudation. He never appears more truly humble than when these refer- ences to his labour and sufferings were wrung from him, filling him with a feeling of self-contempt. Alas ! how few of tlie holiest of men does it pain and mortify to speak of their own greatness or success. How often are the writings even of good men coals on which they sprinkle incense to their own ])ride. When Paul said that his boasting was not after the Lord^ he said no more than when he called it folly. AH that the expression implies is that self-praise in itself considered, is not the work of a Christian ; it is not a work to which the Spirit of Christ impels the believer. But, when it is necessOr- ry to tlie vindication of the truth or the honor of religion, it becomes a duty. But as it icere foolishli/, (iv acfypoa-mrri, iv folly.) That is, speaking boastfully was not religious but Ibohsh. I/i this confidence of boasting.^ iv ravrrj rrj vTroo-racret ttJ? Kav;)(ryo-ccu9. 'YTroo-Tacris may mean 77iattei% or coiifidcnce. 'In this i)articular matter, or case of boasting.' In this sense