The apostle states his authority with meekness and humility
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.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-6
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 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. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
 | Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source: Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry |
In [Verse 1-6], we find the Apostle's response to those who accused him of having acted in a worldly manner.
First, he simply introduces himself: "I, Paul, myself." Second, he earnestly, yet not imperiously, pleads with the saints. Third, he bases his appeal on "the gentleness and meekness of Christ." He is surely thinking of the way the Lord Jesus walked on Earth as a man. This is, incidentally, one of the few mentions of Jesus' earthly life by Paul. Typically, the Apostle refers to the risen and glorified Christ, who sits at the right hand of God.
Paul further describes himself: "I, who am humble in person among you but bold towards you when absent." This is clearly spoken with irony. His critics claimed that he had been cowardly when he was personally present. However, when "absent," he was "bold" like a lion. According to them, his courage was evident in his arrogant demeanor in his letters.
First, he simply introduces himself: "I, Paul, myself." Second, he earnestly, yet not imperiously, pleads with the saints. Third, he bases his appeal on "the gentleness and meekness of Christ." He is surely thinking of the way the Lord Jesus walked on Earth as a man. This is, incidentally, one of the few mentions of Jesus' earthly life by Paul. Typically, the Apostle refers to the risen and glorified Christ, who sits at the right hand of God.
Paul further describes himself: "I, who am humble in person among you but bold towards you when absent." This is clearly spoken with irony. His critics claimed that he had been cowardly when he was personally present. However, when "absent," he was "bold" like a lion. According to them, his courage was evident in his arrogant demeanor in his letters.
 | Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-05-09 Source: Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck |
Here Paul is speaking ironically, using the words of his critics to good effect.
 | Author: John Chrysostom Rank: Bishop AD: 407 |
Having completed, in such sort as behooved his discourse of almsgiving, and having shown that he loves them more than he is loved, and having recounted the circumstances of his patience and trials, he now opportunely enters upon points involving more of reproof, making allusion to the false apostles, and concluding his discourse with more disagreeable matter, and with commendations of himself. For he makes this his business also throughout the Epistle. Which also perceiving, he hence oftentimes corrects himself, saying in so many words ; Do we begin again to commend ourselves? 2 Corinthians 3:1 and further on; We commend not ourselves again, but give you occasion to glory: 2 Corinthians 5:12 and afterwards; I have become a fool in glorying; you have compelled me. 2 Corinthians 12:11 And many such correctives does he use. And one would not be wrong in styling this Epistle an eulogium of Paul; he makes such large mention both of his grace and his patience. For since there were some among them who thought great things of themselves, and set themselves above the Apostle, and accused him as a boaster, and as being nothing, and teaching no sound doctrine; (now this was in itself the most certain evidence of their own corruptness;) see how he begins his rebuke of them; Now I Paul myself. Do you see what severity, what dignity, is here? For what he would say is this, 'I beseech you do not compel me, nor leave me to use my power against those that hold us cheap, and think of us as carnal.' This is severer than those threats towards them uttered in the former Epistle; Shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of meekness? 1 Corinthians 4:21 and then again; Now some are puffed up as though I were not coming to you; but I will come, and will know, not the word of them that are puffed up, but the power. (ib. 18, 19.) For in this place he shows both things, both his power, and his philosophy and forbearance; since he so beseeches them, and with such earnestness, that he may not be compelled to come to a display of the avenging power pertaining to him, and to smite and chastise them and exact the extreme penalty. For he implied this in saying, But I beseech you, that I may not when present show courage with the confidence, wherewith I count to be bold against some which count of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For the present, however, let us speak of the commencement. Now I Paul myself. Great emphasis, great weight is here. So he says elsewhere, Behold I Paul say unto you; Galatians 5:2 and again, As Paul the aged; Philemon 9 and again in another place, Who has been a succorer of many, and of me. Romans 16:2 So also here, Now I Paul myself. This even is a great thing, that himself beseeches; but that other is greater which he added, saying, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ. For with the wish of greatly shaming them, he puts forward that meekness and gentleness, making his entreaty in this way more forcible; as if he had said, 'Reverence the gentleness of Christ by which I beseech you.' And this he said, at the same time also showing that although they should lay ever so strong a necessity upon him, he himself is more inclined to this: it is from being meek, not from want of power, that he does not proceed against them: for Christ also did in like manner. Who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am of good courage toward you. What, pray, is this? Surely he speaks in irony, using their speeches. For they said this, that 'when he is present indeed, he is worthy of no account, but poor and contemptible; but when absent, swells, and brags, and sets himself up against us, and threatens.' This at least he implies also afterwards, saying, for his letters, say they, are weighty, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account. 2 Corinthians 10:10 He either then speaks in irony, manifesting great severity and saying, 'I, the base, I, the mean, when present, (as they say,) and when absent, lofty:' or else meaning that even though he should utter great things, it is not out of pride, but out of his confidence in them. But I beseech you, that I may not when present show courage with the confidence, wherewith I count to be bold against some which count of us as if we walked according to the flesh. Do you see how great his indignation, and how complete his refutation of those sayings of theirs? For he says, 'I beseech you, do not compel me to show that even present I am strong and have power.' For since they said that 'when absent, he is quite bold against us and exalts himself,' he uses their very words, 'I beseech therefore that they compel me not to use my power.' For this is the meaning of, the confidence. And he said not, 'wherewith I am prepared,' but 'wherewith I count.' 'For I have not yet resolved upon this; they however give me reason enough, but not even so do I wish it.' And yet he was doing this not to vindicate himself, but the Gospel. Now if where it was necessary to vindicate the Message, he is not harsh, but draws back and delays, and beseeches that there may be no such necessity; much more would he never have done any thing of the kind in his own vindication. 'Grant me then this favor,' he says, 'that you compel me not to show, that even when present I am able to be bold against whomsoever it may be necessary; that is, to chastise and punish them.' Do you see how free he was from ambition, how he did nothing for display, since even where it was matter of necessity, he hesitates not to call the act, boldness. For I beseech you, he says, that I may not when present show courage with the confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some. For this especially is the part of a teacher, not to be hasty in taking vengeance, but to work a reformation, and ever to be reluctant and slow in his punishments. How, pray, does he describe those whom he threatens? Those that count of us as though we walked according to the flesh: for they accused him as a hypocrite, as wicked, as a boaster.
| Author: John Chrysostom Rank: Bishop AD: 407 |
Paul is saying that he is the same person whether present or absent. He refers here to the meekness and gentleness of Christ because he does not want to appear to be harsher in person than in a letter. At the same time, he warns them that he can be severe with them if he has to be and that if they do not put things right in his absence, they may get an unpleasant surprise when he comes. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
 | Author: Ambrosiaster Rank: Author AD: 400 |
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
