2 Corinthians 10:1

2 Corinthians 10:1-6. St Paul's intention of overcoming all opposition to the Gospel

1. Now I Paul myself "Until now, Paul has addressed himself preeminently to the better intentioned in the Christian Church, but henceforth he addresses himself to those who had sought to lower his dignity and weaken his authority by representing him as weak in personal influence," as well as in bodily strength and consistency of purpose, "although courageous and full of self-commendation in his letters." Olshausen. The word -myself" is difficult to explain. Deans Stanley and Alford explain it (1) of St Paul's intention to enter upon personal matters. St Chrysostom seems to imply (2) that it refers to the emphasis with which he speaks, and he cites Galatians 5:2; Philemon 1:19. But (3) it seems more probable that it means -I, the very man who in absence am said to be bold, shew my consistency by preferring meekness even in my letters. I am meek, not because I am afraid, but because I ought to be meek. But if meekness fails, then I must be severe." Cf. 2 Corinthians 10:2; 2 Corinthians 10:9; also 1 Corinthians 4:21. It must be remembered that one main purpose of this Epistle is to vindicate the consistency of the Apostle. See ch. 2 Corinthians 1:17-19.

beseech Rather, exhort. See note on ch. 2 Corinthians 1:3.

meekness and gentleness] Myldnesse and softnesse, Wiclif. Tyndale introduced the translation meekness. The word gentlenessis due to our translators. But it is not the exact equivalent of the original. Derived from a word signifying like the truth, and therefore fair, equitable, it came to be the equivalent (see Aristotle, Ethics2 Corinthians 10:10, and vi. 11) for the habit of mind engendered by the practice of regarding the rights of other people as well as our own. Aristotle describes it as the principle which underlies justice and tempers it, and as resulting in sympathy. Its nearest equivalents in English are fairness, considerateness, reasonableness. It and the cognate word occur in the N. T. only in Acts 24:4; Philippians 4:5; 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 3:2; James 3:17; 1 Peter 2:18. For meeknesscf. Matthew 11:29-30; Isaiah 42:2-3; Isaiah 53:7.

in presence Some translate by in personal appearance. See 2 Corinthians 10:7, and margin here. But the word seems in this verse to be opposed to absence. See 2 Corinthians 10:11. Also the Greek of Acts 3:13; Acts 25:16.

base See note on ch. 2 Corinthians 7:6, where the word in the Greek is the same as here. The word basesignifies originally low in position. Cf. the word basementand the French bas. See also Acts 17:5. So Spenser, in his View of the State of Ireland, distinguishes between the "lords and chief men," and the "peasants and baser people."