As we get more mature, we tend to pride ourselves on how systematic, how organized, how professional things are...
Paul says - are we getting to the point of working like everyone else in this world? Do I need a letter of recommendation to prove something?
The people are the proof, the seal of approval that something great is at work. If the people were doubting Paul's credentials, then they should look at the work he did - and he makes this clear in v. 5 - not by anything he did himself but the work He did because God gave him the competence or the ability to do it. God made Paul competent to do the work. If we were to measure our competency as God's servants we would all fail. Yet, it is God who does the work through us -- and that "seal" of the Holy Spirit is more important than any degree (MA, PhD, etc.) or letters of recommendation from various people.
May we see people the way God sees them, not as the world sees them. God sees a sinner (a broken person) used for God's glory. (and that's coming up)
Sometimes leaders do mess up - but the fact that God worked through them is because of God, not them. So, we are to respond to spiritual leaders like Ted Haggard or Jim Bakker with the grace and mercy... for despite their sinfulness - the work of the Holy Spirit through them is still valid.
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