Please read the Scripture passage before the homily.
Have you ever noticed how florists add green leaves and light, thin lacy branches to the flowers in the bouquets they make? These little, small items enhance the beauty of the flowers that predominate the whole arrangement. The beauty of the whole should remind us not to overlook or look down upon the seemingly small and unnecessary things of life because the small adds much to the whole.
Paul had mentioned earlier his co-worker Apollo. Paul saw Apollo as a coworker with himself. Neither had come to the Corinthians on his own; each had come as a steward or ambassador from God. Each had come with diplomatic immunity so as to need answer only to God about the service rendered.
It seems that a vocal portion of the Corinthian Church had a dislike for Paul. Some may have thought his teaching too rigid or too lax. That Paul had been sent by God was the only defense Paul could make. Human tribunals could not judge Paul; Paul could not even judge himself. Only God would judge him.
Now if we were to judge ourselves before others, we would probably try to assert age, position in society, over-rated opinion of ourselves and many other inconsequential things. The only valid position we have is the one God has given us. We too readily assert the unimportant things in, life. Like Paul, we have to be true to the calling God has given us. The rest is foolishness and weakness.