2 Corinthians 10 · Verse 1

2 Corinthians 10:1

Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

2 Corinthians 10:1, King James Version

2 Corinthians 10:1 in other translations

BSB	Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.
WEB	Now I Paul, myself, entreat you by the humility and gentleness of Christ, I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.
ASV	Now I Paul myself entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am of good courage toward you:
YLT	And I, Paul, myself, do call upon you--through the meekness and gentleness of the Christ--who in presence, indeed am humble among you, and being absent, have courage toward you,
DARBY	But I myself, Paul, entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of the Christ, who, as to appearance, when present am mean among you, but absent am bold towards you;
BBE	Now I, Paul, myself make request to you by the quiet and gentle behaviour of Christ, I who am poor in spirit when with you, but who say what is in my mind to you without fear when I am away from you:
Webster	Now I Paul myself beseech you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold towards you:

What does 2 Corinthians 10:1 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

2Co 10:1-18. He Vindicates His Apostolic Authority against Those Who Depreciated Him for His Personal Appearance. He Will Make His Power Felt When He Comes. He Boasts Not, as They, Beyond His Measure. 1. I Paul myself--no longer "we," "us," "our" (2Co 9:11): I who am represented by depreciators as "base," I, the same Paul, of my own accord "beseech you"; or rather "entreat," "exhort" you for your sake. As "I beseech you" (a distinct Greek verb, 2Co 10:2) for my sake. by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--He mentions these graces of Christ especially (Psa 18:35; Mt 11:29), as on account of his imitation of them in particular he was despised [Grotius]. He entreats them by these, in order to show that though he must have recourse to more severe measures, he is naturally inclined to gentle ones after Christ's example [Menochius]. "Meekness" is more in the mind internally; "gentleness" in the external behavior, and in relation to others; for instance, the condescending yieldingness of a superior to an inferior, the former not insisting on his strict rights [Trench]. Bengel explains it, "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 exact Greek word is not applied to Him, the idea expressed by it is (compare Is 40:11; Mt 12:19, 20). in presence--in personal appearance when present with you. base--Greek, "lowly"; timid, humbly diffident: opposed to "bold." "Am" stands here by ironical concession for "am reputed to be" (compare 2Co 10:10).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Introduction

The apostle vindicates himself against the aspersions cast on his person by the false apostle; and takes occasion to mention his spiritual might and authority, 2Cor 10:1-6. He shows them the impropriety of judging after the outward appearance, 2Cor 10:7. Again refers to his apostolical authority, and informs them that when he again comes among them he will show himself in his deeds as powerful as his letters intimated, 2Cor 10:8-11. He shows that these false teachers sat down in other men's labors, having neither authority nor influence from God to break up new ground, while he and the apostles in general had the regions assigned to them through which they were to sow the seed of life; and that he never entered into any place where the work was made ready to his hand by others, 2Cor 10:12-16. He concludes with intimating that the glorying of those false apostles was bad; that they had nothing but self-commendation; and that they who glory should glory in the Lord, 2Cor 10:17, 2Cor 10:18. Verse 1 I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness - Having now finished his directions and advices relative to the collection for the poor, he resumes his argument relative to the false apostle, who had gained considerable influence by representing St. Paul as despicable in his person, his ministry, and his influence. Under this obloquy the apostle was supported by the meekness and gentleness of Christ; and through the same heavenly disposition he delayed inflicting that punishment which, in virtue of his apostolical authority, he might have inflicted on him who had disturbed and labored to corrupt the Christian Church. Who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you - He seems to quote these as the words of his calumniator, as if he had said; "This apostle of yours is a mere braggadocio; when he is among you, you know how base and contemptible he is; when absent, see how he brags and boasts." The word ταπεινος, which we render base, signifies lowly, and, as some think, short of stature. The insinuation is, that when there was danger or opposition at hand, St. Paul acted with great obsequiousness, fearing for his person and authority, lest he should lose his secular influence. See the following verse.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

While others thought meanly, and spake scornfully of the apostle, he had low thoughts, and spake humbly of himself. We should be aware of our own infirmities, and think humbly of ourselves, even when men reproach us. The work of the ministry is a spiritual warfare with spiritual enemies, and for spiritual purposes. Outward force is not the method of the gospel, but strong persuasions, by the power of truth and the meekness of wisdom. Conscience is accountable to God only; and people must be persuaded to God and their duty, not driven by force. Thus the weapons of our warfare are very powerful; the evidence of truth is convincing. What opposition is made against the gospel, by the powers of sin and Satan in the hearts of men! But observe the conquest the word of God gains. The appointed means, however feeble they appear to some, will be mighty through God. And the preaching of the cross, by men of faith and prayer, has always been fatal to idolatry, impiety, and wickedness.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

2 Corinthians 10:1 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΑὐτὸςAutosMyselfG846

δὲdenowG1161

ἐγὼegōI myselfG1473

ΠαῦλοςPaulosPaulG3972

παρακαλῶparakalōexhortG3870

ὑμᾶςhumasyouG4771

διὰdiathroughG1223

τῆςtēstheG3588

πραΰτητοςprautētosmeeknessG4236

καὶkaiandG2532

ἐπιεικείαςepieikeiasgentlenessG1932

τοῦtou<the>G3588

Χριστοῦ,Christouof Christ,G5547

ὃςhoswhoG3739

κατὰkataas toG2596

πρόσωπονprosōponappearanceG4383

μὲνmenindeedG3303

ταπεινὸςtapeinos[am] humbleG5011

ἐνenamongG1722

ὑμῖν,huminyou,G4771

ἀπὼνapōnbeing absentG548

δὲdehoweverG1161

θαρρῶtharrōI am boldG2292

εἰςeistowardG1519

ὑμᾶς·humasyou;G4771

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 10:1

2 Corinthians 10:10
For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Galatians 5:2
Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Isaiah 42:3-4
A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
2 Corinthians 12:7-9
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
1 Corinthians 2:3
And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
2 Corinthians 11:30
If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
1 Peter 2:11
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
Romans 10:20
But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
1 Peter 2:22-23
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
2 Corinthians 13:2-4
I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare: Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Against the false apostles, who disgraced the weakness of his person and bodily presence, he shows the spiritual might and authority with which he was armed against all adverse powers;
7 assuring them that at his coming he will be found as mighty in word as he is now in writing, being absent;
12 and withal taxing them for reaching out themselves beyond their compass, and vaunting themselves of other men's labours.

I Paul.
1Co 16:21,22; Ga 5:2; 2Th 3:17; Phm 1:9; Re 1:9
beseech.
2; 5:20; 6:1; Ro 12:1; Eph 4:1; 1Pe 2:11
by.
Ps 45:4; Isa 42:3,4; Zec 9:9; Mt 11:29; 12:19,20; 21:5; Ac 8:32
1Pe 2:22,23
presence. or, outward appearance.
7,10
base.Rather, lowly, or humble, [tapeinos ,] which some think refers to his lowness of stature.
10; 11:30; 12:5,7-9; 13:4; 1Co 2:3; 4:10; Ga 4:13
bold.
3:12; *marg:
7:4; 11:21; 13:2,3; Ro 10:20; 15:15

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

2 Corinthians 10:1
Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
2 Corinthians 10:2
But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

Read all of 2 Corinthians 10

2 Corinthians 10:1 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	EMPERO yo Pablo, os ruego por la mansedumbre y modestia de Cristo, yo que presente ciertamente soy bajo entre vosotros, mas ausente soy confiado entre vosotros:
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Or moi-même, Paul, je vous exhorte par la douceur et la débonnaireté du Christ, moi qui, présent, quant à l’apparence suis chétif au milieu de vous, mais qui, absent, use de hardiesse envers vous…;
German Elberfelder 1871	Ich selbst aber, Paulus, ermahne euch durch die Sanftmut und Gelindigkeit des Christus, der ich unter euch gegenwärtig zwar demütig, abwesend aber kühn gegen euch bin.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Ipse autem ego Paulus obsecro vos per mansuetudinem et modestiam Christi, qui in facie quidem humilis sum inter vos, absens autem confido in vos.