For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
5. For we preach not ourselves Some make this to be an instance of Zeugma, Zeugma is a figure of speech, in which two subjects are used jointly (the term being derived from ξεύηνυμι to join) with the same predicate, which strictly belongs only to one. — Ed.
The apostle had, in the foregoing chapter, been magnifying his office, upon the consideration of the excellency or glory of that gospel about which he did officiate; and now in this chapter his design is to vindicate their ministry from the accusation of false teachers, who charged them as deceitful workers, or endeavoured to prejudice the minds of the people against them on account of their sufferings.
Commenting on 2 Corinthians 4:1-7
For we preach not ourselves,.... These words contain a reason why the apostles behaved themselves in the manner described, Co2 4:2 and serve to explain in what sense this inspired writer is to be understood, when he calls the Gospel our Gospel, Co2 4:3 and most clearly proves the Gospel to be a glorious one, which he had asserted, Co2 4:4 since Christ, and not...