2 Corinthians 10:1-2 (WEL) Now I, Paul myself—who am insignificant in person, but when absent am assertive towards you—plead with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ. 2 I plead with you, so that when I am present, I won’t have to be bold by the kind of confidence by which I plan to use against those who think we are living according to the flesh.
Chapter Summary:
An Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, Henry – 2 Corinthians 10:
“There was no place in which the apostle Paul met with more opposition from false apostles than at Corinth; he had many enemies there. Let not any of the ministers of Christ think it strange if they meet with perils, not only from enemies, but from false brethren; for blessed Paul himself did so. Though he was so blameless and inoffensive in all his carriage, so condescending and useful to all, yet there were those who bore him ill-will, who envied him, and did all they could to undermine him, and lessen his interest and reputation. Therefore he vindicates himself from their imputation, and arms the Corinthians against their insinuations. In this chapter the apostle, in a mild and humble manner, asserts the power of his preaching, and to punish offenders (2Co 10:1-6). He then proceeds to reason the case with the Corinthians, asserting his relation to Christ, and his authority as an apostle of Christ (7-11), and refuses to justify himself, or to act by such rules as the false teachers did, but according to the better rules he had fixed for himself (12 to the end).”
V1 Now I, Paul myself—who am insignificant in person, but when absent am assertive towards you—plead with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ.
Paul does not brag about himself or his accomplishments, but he comes with the character traits of Jesus Christ—meekness and gentleness.
Meekness is in the ideal of the Greek word G4235 πρᾳότης praiótēs, which means (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Abridged – Little Kittel)) “This word means ‘mild and gentle friendliness.’” It would be a general trait. Jesus showed this always (Matthew 11:29) except in war (Revelation 19:11-21) and judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). Paul imitates Jesus Christ, so must we.
Comments:
Dake (beware): “Having completed instructions for collections for the poor (2 Corinthians 8-9), Paul now returns to dealing with the false apostle who had gained considerable ground in discrediting him at Corinth, as being base, contemptible, and a boaster living in the flesh (2 Corinthians 10:1-10).”
JFB: “By the meekness and gentleness of Christ. He mentions these graces especially (Psalm 18:35; Matthew 11:29), as for his imitation of them in particular, he was despised. He shows that, though he must have recourse to more severe measures, he is naturally inclined to gentle ones, after Christ’s example. “Meekness” [ prautees (G4240)] is more in the mind; “gentleness” [ epieikeia (G1932)] in the external behaviour, and in relation to others, as the yieldingness of a superior to an inferior, the former not insisting on his strict rights (Trench). Bengel, ‘by the meekness and gentleness derived by me from Christ,’ not from my own nature: he objects to understanding it of Christ’s meekness and gentleness, since nowhere else is “gentleness” attributed to Him. But though the Greek word is not applied to Him, the idea is (cf. Isaiah 40:11; Matthew 12:19-20).”
V2 I plead with you, so that when I am present, I won’t have to be bold by the kind of confidence by which I plan to use against those who think we are living according to the flesh.
He sends this letter ahead of his arrival so they will have had some information and a plea to consider his argument that he is a genuine apostle of Jesus Christ.
The false apostle who is clever is leading them from Paul to himself, so he can abuse their faith.
Comments:
Bible Knowledge Commentary: “Paul was loath to take stern action, but the situation demanded it. His model for this was Christ. Christ’s meekness (cf. Matthew 11:29) was a strength of spirit that enabled Him to accept calmly the wrongs done against Himself (e.g., Matthew 27:12-14), but to act with a powerful vengeance on behalf of others (e.g., John 2:15-16). Meekness epitomizes the strength that comes from loving others rather than self.”
We learn:
- Paul is getting ready to defend his Apostleship.
- Paul wishes to come in meekness (gentleness and mild vs harsh and tyrannical).
Questions:
- Are you meek or arrogant?
- How do you approach problems?