Note 1 at 2 Cor. 10:12: Paul said some very similar things to this when he wrote his letter to the Romans. In Romans 15, Paul spoke about glorying or boasting in the things God had wrought through him, which is the same context as his statements here. Then in Romans 15:18, Paul said, "For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which the Lord hath not wrought by me. . . ." That is exactly the point he is making here in verses 12-15.

Paul had just made a statement in the previous verse that he would be just as hard on them in person as he had been in his letters if they didn't repent. Now he is saying, "I'm not like my critics who just talk but can't back up their claims. They make great claims about what they would do, but you don't have any track record to hold them to. Their talk is their only judge. They haven't done anything."

Then he begins to show that he can be held accountable as to whether or not his statements are true. His actions provide a standard or ruler which they can use to measure his words.

Paul's opponents were just like many people who sow strife today. They are against everything and critical of the way those in authority are handling things. They make big statements about what they would do if they were in authority, but it's all talk. They haven't proven themselves successful in managing even the smallest things, yet they want to be put in charge of big things, just based on their talk. That's not the system of advancement that Jesus advocated (Mt. 25:21; Lk. 16:11-12; 19:17).

Most of the time, criticism against those who are doing things that are making a difference comes from those who are doing nothing. The man who has not done anything yet should not criticize the man who has done much. Likewise, the man who says it can not be done should stay out of the way of the man who is doing it.