---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse 2 Corinthians 10:1. I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness — Having now finished his directions and advices relative to the collection for the po"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/2-corinthians/10"
---

Verse [2 Corinthians 10:1](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/10/1). ***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 laboured 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.

Verse [2 Corinthians 10:2](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/10/2). ***Some, which think of us as if we walked according to**********the flesh.*** — As it is customary for *cowards* and *overbearing men* to *threaten* the *weak* and the *timid* when *present*; to *bluster* when *absent*; and to be very *obsequious* in the presence of the *strong* and *courageous*. This conduct they appear to have charged against the apostle, which he calls here *walking after the flesh*- acting as a man who had worldly *ends* in view, and would use any *means* in order to accomplish them.

Verse [2 Corinthians 10:3](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/10/3). ***Though we walk in the flesh*** — That is: Although I am in the common condition of human nature, and must live as a human being, yet I do *not war after the flesh*-I do not act the coward or the poltroon, as they insinuate. I have a good cause, a good captain, strength at will, and courage at hand. I neither fear *them* nor their *master*.

Verse [2 Corinthians 10:4](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/10/4). ***The weapons of our warfare*** — The apostle often uses the metaphor of a *warfare* to represent the life and trials of a Christian minister. See [Ephesians 6:10-17](../../../kjv/ephesians/6/10-17); [1 Timothy 1:18](../../../kjv/1-timothy/1/18); [2 Timothy 2:3-5](../../../kjv/2-timothy/2/3-5).
***Are not carnal*** — Here he refers to the means used by the false apostle in order to secure his party; he calumniated St. Paul, traduced the truth, preached false and licentious doctrines, and supported these with sophistical reasonings.
***But mighty through God*** — Our doctrines are true and pure, they come from God and lead to him, and he accompanies them with his mighty power to the hearts of those who hear them; and the *strong* *holds*-the apparently solid and cogent reasoning of the philosophers, we, by these doctrines, *pull down*; and thus the fortifications of heathenism are destroyed, and the cause of Christ triumphs wherever we come; and we put to flight the armies of the aliens.

Verse [2 Corinthians 10:5](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/10/5). ***Casting down imaginations*** — δογισμους. *Reasonings* or *opinions*. The Greek philosophers valued themselves especially on their *ethic systems*, in which their reasonings appeared to be very *profound* and *conclusive*; but they were obliged to *assume* *principles* which were either such as did not exist, or were false in themselves, as the whole of their *mythologic* system most evidently was: truly, from what remains of them we see that their *metaphysics* were generally bombast; and as to their *philosophy*, it was in general good for nothing. When the apostles came against their *gods many* and their *lords many* with the ONE SUPREME and ETERNAL BEING, they were confounded, scattered, annihilated; when they came against their various *modes* of *purifying the mind*-their *sacrificial* and *mediatorial* system, with the LORD JESUS CHRIST, his *agony* and *bloody sweat*, his *cross* and *passion*, his *death* and *burial*, and his *glorious resurrection* and *ascension,* they sunk before them, and appeared to be what they really were, as dust upon the balance, and lighter than vanity.
***Every high thing*** — Even the pretendedly *sublime doctrines*, for instance, of *Plato, Aristotle*, and the *Stoics* in general, fell before the simple preaching of Christ crucified.
***The knowledge of God*** — The doctrine of the *unity* and *eternity* of the *Divine nature*, which was opposed by the *plurality* of their idols, and the *generation* of their gods, and their *men-made* deities. It is amazing how feeble a resistance heathenism made, by *argument* or *reasoning*, against the doctrine of the Gospel! It instantly shrunk from the Divine light, and called on the *secular* power to contend for it! *Popery* sunk before *Protestantism* in the same way, and defended itself by the same *means*. The *apostles* destroyed *heathenism* wherever they came; the *Protestants* confuted *popery* wherever their voice was permitted to be heard.
***Bringing into captivity every thought*** — HEATHENISM could not recover itself; in vain did its thousands of altars smoke with reiterated hecatombs, their demons were silent, and their idols were proved to be *nothing in the world*. POPERY could never, by any power of self-reviviscence, restore itself after its defeat by the Reformation: it had no *Scripture*, consecutively understood; no *reason*, no *argument*; in vain were its *bells* rung, its *candles* lighted, its *auto da fe's* exhibited; in vain did its *fires blaze*; and in vain were innumerable human victims immolated on *its* altars! The light of God penetrated its hidden works of darkness, and dragged its *three-headed* Cerberus into open day; the monster sickened, vomited his *henbane*, and fled for refuge to his native *shades*.
***The obedience of Christ*** — Subjection to idols was annihilated by the progress of the Gospel among the heathens; and they soon had but *one* Lord, and his name *one*. In like manner the doctrines of the *reformation*, mighty through God, *pulled down*-demolished and *brought into captivity*, the whole papal system; and instead of *obedience to the pope*, the pretended vicar of God upon earth, *obedience to Christ*, as the sole almighty Head of the Church, was established, particularly in Great Britain, where it continues to prevail. Hallelujah! the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth!

Verse [2 Corinthians 10:6](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/10/6). ***And having in a readiness to revenge all**********disobedience*** — I am ready, through this mighty armour of God, to punish those opposers of the doctrine of Christ, and the disobedience which has been produced by them.
***When your obedience is fulfilled.*** — When you have in the fullest manner, discountenanced those men, and separated yourselves from their communion. The apostle was not in haste to pull up the *tares*, lest he should pull up the *wheat* also.
All the terms in these two verses are *military*. Allusion is made to a *strongly fortifed city*, where the enemy had made his *last stand; entrenching* himself about the *walls; strengthening* all his *redoubts* and *ramparts*; raising *castles, towers*, and *various* *engines* of defence and offence upon the walls; and neglecting nothing that might tend to render his *strong hold* impregnable. The army of God comes against the place and attacks it; the *strong* *holds* οχυροματα, all the *fortified places*, are carried. The *imaginations*, λογισμοι, *engines*, and whatever the *imagination* or *skill* of man could raise, are speedily taken and destroyed. Every *high thing*, παν υψωμα, *all* the *castles* and *towers* are *sapped, thrown down* and *demolished*; the *walls* are *battered* into *breaches*; and the besieging army, carrying every thing at the point of the sword, enter the city, storm and take the citadel. Every where defeated, the conquered submit, and are brought into *captivity*, αιχμαλωτιζοντες, *are led away captives*; and thus the whole government is destroyed.
It is easy to apply these things, as far as may be consistent with the apostle's design. The general *sense* I have given in the preceding notes.

Verse [2 Corinthians 10:7](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/10/7). ***Do ye look on things after the outward appearance?*** — Do not be carried away with *appearances*; do not be satisfied with *show* and *parade*.
***If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's*** — Here, as in several other places of this and the preceding epistle, the τις, *any* or *certain, person*, most evidently refers to the *false apostle* who made so much disturbance in the Church. And this man *trusted* *to himself*-assumed to himself that he was *Christ's* messenger: it would not do to attempt to *subvert* Christianity at once; it had got too strong a hold of Corinth to be easily dislodged; he therefore pretended to be on Christ's side, and to derive his authority from him.
***Let him of himself*** — Without any authority, certainly, from God; but, as he arrogates to himself the character of a minister of Christ, let him acknowledge that even so we are Christ's ministers; and that *I* have, by my preaching, and the miracles which I have wrought, given the fullest proof that *I* am especially commissioned by him.

Verse [2 Corinthians 10:8](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/10/8). ***For, though I should boast***, c.] I have a greater authority and spiritual power than I have yet shown, both to *edify* and to *punish* but I employ this for your *edification in* *righteousness*, and not for the *destruction* of any delinquent. "This," says Calmet, "is the rule which the pastors of the Church ever propose to themselves in the exercise of their authority; whether to enjoin or forbid, to dispense or to oblige, to bind or to loose. They should use this power only as Jesus Christ used it-for the salvation, and not for the destruction, of souls."

Verse [2 Corinthians 10:9](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/10/9). ***That I may not seem***, c.] This is an elliptical sentence, and may be supplied thus: "I have not used this authority nor will I add any more concerning this part of the subject, lest I should seem, as my adversary has insinuated, to wish to terrify you by my letters.

Verse [2 Corinthians 10:10](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/10/10). ***For his letters, say they*****, are*****weighty and powerful*** — He boasts of high powers, and that he can do great things. See on [2 Corinthians 10:1-2](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/10/1-2).
***But his bodily presence*****is*****weak*** — When you behold the *man*, you find him a feeble, contemptible mortal; and when ye hear him *speak*, his speech, ο λογος, probably, his *doctrine*, εξουθενημενος, is good for nothing; his *person, matter*, and *manner*, are altogether uninteresting, unimpressive, and too contemptible to be valued by the wise and the learned. This seems to be the spirit and design of this slander.
Many, both among the ancients and moderns, have endeavoured to find out the *ground* there was for any part of this calumny; as to the *moral conduct* of the apostle, that was invulnerable; his *motives*, it is true, were suspected and denounced by this false apostle and his partisans; but they could never find any thing in his *conduct* which could support their insinuations.
What they could not attach to his *character*, they disingenuously attached to his *person* and his *elocution*.
If we can credit some ancient writers, such as *Nicephorus*, we shall find the apostle thus described:
An old Greek writer, says the same author, whose works are found among those of *Chrysostom*, tom. vi. hom. 30, page 265, represents him thus:-Παυλος ὁ τριπηχυς ανθρωπος, και των ουρανων ἁπτομενος· "Paul was a man of about three cubits in height, (four feet six,) and yet, nevertheless, touched the heavens." Others say that "he was a little man, had a bald head, and a large nose." See the above, and several other authorities in *Calmet*. Perhaps there is not one of these statements correct: as to *Nicephorus*, he is a writer of the fourteenth century, weak and credulous, and worthy of no regard. And the writer found in the works of *Chrysostom*, in making the apostle little more than a *pigmy*, has rendered his account incredible.
That St. Paul could be no such diminutive person we may fairly presume from the office he filled under the high priest, in the persecution of the Church of Christ and that he had not an *impediment* in his speech, but was a *graceful orator*, we may learn from his whole history, and especially from the account we have, [Acts 14:12](../../../kjv/acts/14/12), where the Lycaonians took him for *Mercury*, the *god of eloquence*, induced thereto by his powerful and persuasive elocution. In short, there does not appear to be any substantial evidence of the apostle's *deformity, pigmy stature, bald head, pale and wrinkled* *face, large nose, stammering speech*, &c., &c. These are probably all figments of an unbridled fancy, and foolish surmisings.

Verse [2 Corinthians 10:11](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/10/11). ***Such as we are in word*** — A threatening of this kind would doubtless alarm the false apostle; and it is very likely that he did not await the apostle's coming, as he would not be willing to try the fate of *Elymas*.

Verse [2 Corinthians 10:12](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/10/12). ***We dare not make ourselves***, c.] As if he had said: I dare neither associate with, nor compare myself to, those who are full of self-commendation. Some think this to be an *ironical* speech.
***But they, measuring themselves by themselves*** — They are not sent of God they are not inspired by his Spirit; therefore they have no *rule* to think or act by. They are also full of pride and self-conceit; they look within themselves for accomplishments which their self-love will soon find out; for to it *real* and *fictitious* are the same. As they dare not compare themselves with the true apostles of Christ, they compare themselves with each other; and, as they have no *perfect standard*, they can have no *excellence*; nor can they ever attain true *wisdom*, which is not to be had from looking at what we *are* but to what we *should* be; and if without a directory, *what we should be* will never appear, and consequently our *ignorance* must continue. This was the case with these self-conceited false apostles; but ουσυνιουσιν, *are not* *wise*, Mr. Wakefield contends, is an elegant *Graecism* signifying they are *not aware* that they are measuring themselves by themselves, &c.

Verse [2 Corinthians 10:13](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/10/13). ***Things without*****our*****measure*** — There is a great deal of difficulty in this and the three following verses, and there is a great diversity among the MSS.; and *which* is the *true reading* can scarcely be determined. Our version is perhaps the plainest that can be made of the text. By the *measure* mentioned here, it seems as if the apostle meant the commission he received from God to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles; *a measure* or *district* that extended through all Asia Minor and Greece, down to Achaia, where Corinth was situated, *a measure to reach even unto you*. But the expressions in these verses are all agonistical, and taken from the stadium or race course in the Olympic and Isthmian games. The μετρον, or *measure*, was the length of the δρομος, or *course*; and the κανων, *rule* or *line*, [2 Corinthians 10:15](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/10/15); [2 Corinthians 10:16](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/10/16), was probably the same with the γραμμα, or *white line*, which marked out the boundaries of the stadium; and the verbs *reach unto, stretch out*, &c., are all references to the *exertions* made to win the *race*. As this subject is so frequently alluded to in these epistles, I have thought it of importance to consider it particularly in the different places where it occurs.

Verse 14. ***For we stretch not ourselves beyond*** — We have not proceeded straight from Macedonia through Thessaly, and across the Adriatic Gulf into Italy, which would have led us *beyond* you *westward*; but knowing the mind of our God we left this direct path, and came *southward* through *Greece*, down into *Achaia*, and there we planted the Gospel. The false apostle has therefore got into our *province*, and entered into our labours, and there boasts as if the conversion of the heathen Achaians had been his own work. As there is an allusion here to the *stadium*, and to the Olympic games in general, we may consider the apostle as laying to the charge of the disturber at Corinth that he had got his name surreptitiously inserted on the military list; that he was not striving lawfully; had no right to the *stadium*, and none to the *crown*. See the observations at the end of [1 Corinthians 9](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/9); *"*[1 Corinthians 9:27](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/9/27)*"* and the note on ver. 13 of this chapter; *"*[2 Corinthians 10:13](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/10/13)*"*

Verse 15. ***Not boasting of things without*****our*****measure*** — We speak only of the work which God has done by us; for we have never attempted to enter into other men's labours, and we study to convert those regions assigned to us by the Holy Spirit. We enter the course lawfully, and *run* according to *rule*. See above.
***When your faith is increased*** — When you receive more of the life and power of godliness, and when you can better spare me to go to other places.
***We shall be enlarged by you*** — μεγαλυνθηναι probably signifies here to be *praised* or *commended*; and the sense would be this; We hope that shortly, on your gaining an increase of true religion, after your long distractions and divisions, you will plainly see that we are the true messengers of God to you, and that in all your intercourse with your neighbours, or foreign parts, you will speak of this Gospel preached by us as a glorious system of saving truth; and that, in consequence, the heathen countries around you will be the better prepared to receive our message; and thus our *rule* or *district* will be abundantly *extended*. This interpretation agrees well with the following verse.

Verse 16. ***To preach the Gospel in the*****regions*****beyond you*** — He probably refers to those parts of the *Morea*, such as *Sparta*, c., that lay *southward* of them and to *Italy*, which lay on the *west*; for it does not appear that he considered his *measure* or *province* to extend to *Libya*, or any part of *Africa*. See the Introduction, sec. xii.
***Not to boast in another man's line*** — So very scrupulous was the apostle not to build on another man's foundation, that he would not even go to those places where other apostles were labouring. He appears to think that every apostle had a particular *district* or *province* of the heathen world allotted to him, and which God commissioned him to convert to the Christian faith. No doubt every apostle was influenced in the same way; and this was a wise order of God; for by these means the Gospel was more *quickly* spread through the heathen provinces than it otherwise would have been. The apostles had *deacons* or *ministers* with them whose business it was to *water* the seed sown; but the *apostles* alone, under Christ, *sowed* and *planted*.

Verse 17. ***He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.*** — Instead of boasting or exulting even in your own success in preaching the Gospel, as none can be successful without the especial blessing of God, let God who gave the blessing have the glory. Even the genuine apostle, who has his commission immediately from God himself, takes no praise to himself from the prosperity of his work, but gives it all to God. How little cause then have your *uncommissioned men* to boast, to whom God has assigned no province, and who *only boast in another man's line of* *things made ready to their hand*!

Verse [2 Corinthians 10:18](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/10/18). ***Not he that commendeth himself*** — Not the person who makes a parade of his own *attainments*; who preaches *himself*, and not *Christ Jesus the Lord*; and, far from being your *servant* for Christ's sake, affects to be your *ruler*; not such a one shall be *approved of God*, by an especial blessing on his labours; *but he* *whom the Lord commendeth*, by giving him the *extraordinary gifts* of the Holy Spirit, and *converting* the *heathen* by his ministry. These were qualifications to which the false apostle at Corinth could not pretend. He had *language* and *eloquence*, and *show* and *parade*; but he had neither the *gifts* of an apostle nor an apostle's *success*.
1. DR. WHITBY observes that the apostle, in the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th verses, [2 Corinthians 10:13-16](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/10/13-16) endeavours to advance himself above the false apostles in the three following particulars:-
(1.) That whereas *they* could show no commission to preach to the Corinthians, no *measure* by which God had distributed the Corinthians to them as their province, *he* could do so. *We have a* *measure to reach even to you*, [2 Corinthians 10:13](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/10/13).
(2.) That whereas they went out of *their line*, leaping from one Church to another, he went on *orderly*, in the conversion of the heathens, from *Judea* through all the *interjacent provinces*, till he came to *Corinth*.
(3.) Whereas they only came in and perverted the Churches where the faith had already been preached, and so could only boast of things made ready to their hands, [2 Corinthians 10:16](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/10/16), he had laboured to preach the Gospel where Christ had not been *named*, lest he should build on another man's foundation, [Romans 15:20](../../../kjv/romans/15/20).
2. We find that from the beginning God appointed to every man his *promise*, and to every man his *labour*; and would not suffer even one apostle to interfere with another. This was a very wise appointment; for by this the Gospel was not only more speedily diffused over the heathen nations, as we have already remarked, but the Churches were better attended to, the Christian doctrine preserved in its purity, and the Christian discipline properly enforced. What is *any men's work* is *no man's* in particular; and thus the work is neglected. In every Church of God there should be some *one* who for the time being has the care of it, who may be properly called its *pastor*; and who is accountable for its purity in the faith, and its godly discipline.
3. Every man who ministers in holy things should be well assured of his *call* to the work; without this he can labour neither with *confidence* nor *comfort*. And he should be careful to watch over the flock, that no *destroying wolf* be permitted to enter the sacred fold, and that the *fences* of a *holy discipline* be kept in proper repair.
4. It is base, abominable, and deeply sinful, for a man to thrust himself into other men's labours, and, by sowing doubtful disputations among a Christian people, distract and divide them, that he may get a party to himself. Such persons generally act as the false apostle at Corinth; preach a *relaxed morality*; place great stress upon *certain doctrines* which flatter and soothe self-love; calumniate the person, *system of doctrines*, and *mode of* *discipline*, of the *pastor* who perhaps *planted* that Church, or who in the order of God's providence has the oversight of it. This is an evil that has prevailed much in all ages of the Church; there is at *present* much of it in the Christian world, and Christianity is disgraced by it.

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