William Burkitt on 2 Corinthians 5:12

As if our apostle had said, "We commend not ourselves to you upon our own account, as if there were any need of it, with respect to us; but only to give you an occasion to vindicate us; and to glory to others on our behalf, when need requires, that you may have wherewith to answer the calumnies of the false apostles, who gloried much in outward appearance of piety and zeal, but not in purity of heart and upright intentions."

Learn hence, That though the ministers of Christ have no itching desire to exalt themselves in a way of self-commendation, yet they are sometimes constrained to it in a way of self-vindication, and this is not only lawful but a duty; because scandals cast upon a good man reach farther than himself, yea, they reflect upon God himself: therefore to be wiped off and rolled away.