| Geneva Study Bible {7} For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. (7) The meaning is: even when I am mad (as some men think of me), while I seem as a fool to boast about myself, I do it for your profit, to the same extent that I do when I preach only the Gospel to you. People's New Testament 5:13 For whether we be beside ourselves. See Ac 26:24. The same charge had probably been made at Corinth. If it were true, it was due to his zeal. His trances, visions and revelations his enemies imputed to madness. It is to God. For God or to the power of God. Or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. If at other times he was the opposite, of sober mind (Revised Version), it was all that he might calmly reason with them and win them. Wesley's Notes 5:13 For if we are transported beyond ourselves - Or at least, appear so to others, treated of, 2Cor 5:15 - 21, speaking or writing with uncommon vehemence. It is to God - He understands (if men do not) the emotion which himself inspires. If we be sober - Treated of, 2Cor 6:1 - 10. If I proceed in a more calm, sedate manner. It is for your sakes - Even good men bear this, rather than the other method, in their teachers. But these must obey God, whoever is offended by it. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 13. be-rather as Greek, "have been." The contrast is between the single act implied by the past tense, "If we have ever been beside ourselves," and the habitual state implied by the present, "Or whether we be sober," that is, of sound mind. beside ourselves-The accusation brought by Festus against him (Ac 26:24). The holy enthusiasm with which he spake of what God effected by His apostolic ministry, seemed to many to be boasting madness. sober-humbling myself before you, and not using my apostolic power and privileges. to God . for your cause-The glorifying of his office was not for his own, but for God's glory. The abasing of himself was in adaptation to their infirmity, to gain them to Christ (1Co 9:22). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 5:9-15 The apostle quickens himself and others to acts of duty. Well-grounded hopes of heaven will not encourage sloth and sinful security. Let all consider the judgment to come, which is called, The terror of the Lord. Knowing what terrible vengeance the Lord would execute upon the workers of iniquity, the apostle and his brethren used every argument and persuasion, to lead men to believe in the Lord Jesus, and to act as his disciples. Their zeal and diligence were for the glory of God and the good of the church. Christ's love to us will have a like effect upon us, if duly considered and rightly judged. All were lost and undone, dead and ruined, slaves to sin, having no power to deliver themselves, and must have remained thus miserable for ever, if Christ had not died. We should not make ourselves, but Christ, the end of our living and actions. A Christian's life should be devoted to Christ. Alas, how many show the worthlessness of their professed faith and love, by living to themselves and to the world! | 
