We May Be The Only Bible Some People Read

Commentary

These legalistic false teachers boasted that they carried “letters of recommendation” from the “important people” in the Jerusalem church. They said, “Where is his letter of recommendation?  Does he have a letter of approval from the apostolic council in Jerusalem? If so, let him produce it, otherwise we will just consider him an unauthorized person.”  Paul answers these false teachers by saying that it was not necessary for him to have credentials from church leaders. The Corinthians themselves whom he had led to Christ were a visible example and demonstration of his apostolic effectiveness. They were indeed an epistle, clearly legible to all who were willing to read and understand. It is sad when a person measures his worth by what people say about him instead of by what God knows about him. 
Paul makes a comparison between the law which was written on tables of stone and the gospel, which is written, by example, in the hearts of men (v. 3). Even if the Israelites could read these tables of stone, this experience would not change their life. The law is an external thing, and people need an internal power in their lives to be changed. The test of ministry is changed lives and not press releases. There is a great truth here; every man is an open letter for Jesus Christ. The honor of Christ is in the hands of his followers. We judge a shopkeeper by the kind of goods he sells, we judge a craftsman by the kind of articles he produces, we judge a Church by the kind of men it creates, and therefore men judge Christ by his followers. When we go out into the world, we have the awe-inspiring responsibility of being open letters, advertisements, for Christ and his Church.

Application

As a Christian I may be the only Bible some unsaved folk will ever read! Because of this, I really need to watch my conduct and make sure it is an example that honors Christ.