The Corinthians were easily impressed by super-apostles and those who came into the churches with charisma and flash. Paul did not exhibit those characteristics. He came in humble and with love, and no flash. Sometimes the people were more impressed with the razzle-dazzle.
Paul explains to them that while they were impressed with what was external, he commended themselves to them as men of integrity. They did not peddle the word of God for profit, but rather walked with a clean conscience and a pure heart. He commended himself to the Corinthians on this basis, not on flash.
Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
Can we do the same as ministers of the gospel? Can we also proclaim that we walk with a clean conscience, purity of heart, and that money does not matter in our ministry? Can we give the purity of our lives and our intentions as a means for the people we serve to boast in us?