Paul begins today’s passage by clarifying the reasons why he has sent an advance party to secure the offering the Corinthians had promised to give. After this, he begins to defend the authority he has over the Corinthian church as a true apostle. Other men, whom Paul calls “Super-apostles”, had come into town, and it seems that the church was supporting them and listening to their teaching. These men were boastful and requested payment for their teaching, whereas Paul was humble, loyal, and worked without burdening the church financially. As he concludes, Paul assures them that he will not be lenient on those who have persisted in sin.