John Chrysostom

"Again I say." For he had even already used much preparatory corrective: 'But nevertheless I am not contented with what I have said, but I say yet again,' "Let no man think me foolish." For this was what they did-boasted without a reason.-But observe, I pray you, how often, when about to enter upon his own praises, he checks himself. 'For indeed it is the act of folly,' he says, 'to boast: but I do it, not as playing the fool, but because compelled. …

Homily 24 on 2 Corinthians ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

For although he was already using qualifications, he still says: I am not satisfied with what has been said, but again I say: "let no one think me foolish." For to boast simply is characteristic of foolishness; but I do this not as a fool, but out of necessity. However, if you do not agree with me and consider me completely foolish, even though I boast out of necessity, I do not avoid this. So receive me as a fool, "that I too," that is, like them, "may boast," but even then "a little."

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Having asked the Corinthians to bear patiently with his commendation, and shown that he did this out of the zeal he had for them because that zeal was reasonable and ordinate, the Apostle now presents another reason through which he shows that, given he is acting foolishly, they should nevertheless, put up with him. Hence, in this reason he proceeds on the supposition that he is foolish. In this part he does two things. First he makes his request; secondly, he gives the reason for what he said (v. 17). …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗