--- title: "2 Corinthians 10 - Study King James Bible with ellicotts commentary for english readers" description: "Read 2 Corinthians 10 with ellicotts commentary for english readers commentary. 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" image: "/_app/immutable/assets/missing.C7wGMEZ6.jpg" url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/study/ellicotts-commentary-for-english-readers/2-corinthians/10" --- [ Read](/kjv/2-corinthians/10)[ Commentary](/study/2-corinthians/10)[ Interlinear](/interlinear/2-corinthians/10) Audio 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. 7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he *is* Christ’s, even so *are* we Christ’s. 8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: 9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. 10 For *his* letters, say they, *are* weighty and powerful; but *his* bodily presence *is* weak, and *his* speech contemptible. 11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such *will we be* also in deed when we are present. 12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 13 But we will not boast of things without *our* measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. 14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond *our measure*, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in *preaching* the gospel of Christ: 15 Not boasting of things without *our* measure, *that is*, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, 16 To preach the gospel in the *regions* beyond you, *and* not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand. 17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. [2 Corinthians 9](/study/2-corinthians/9) [2 Corinthians 11](/study/2-corinthians/11) ## Commentary To verse 1 **X.** (1) **Now I Paul myself beseech you.**—His thoughts, as has been said, have travelled back to Corinth. The stinging words which Titus had reported to him (see Note on [2 Corinthians 10:10](/kjv/2-corinthians/10/10)) vex his soul. He speaks in the tone of the suppressed indignation which shows itself in a keen incisive irony. The opening formula is one which he reserves as emphasising an exceptionally strong emotion ([Galatians 5:2](/kjv/galatians/5/2); [Ephesians 3:1](/kjv/ephesians/3/1); [Philemon 1:19](/kjv/philemon/1/19)). **By the meekness and gentleness of Christ.**—On the precise ethical significance of the former word see Note on [Matthew 5:5](/kjv/matthew/5/5); on that of the second, on [Acts 24:4](/kjv/acts/24/4). The temper described by the latter is that of one who does not press his rights, but acts in the spirit of equitable concession. The use of the formula of adjuration implies (1) that he felt how the opponents of whom he is about to speak were lacking in those two excellencies; (2) that he could appeal to what they knew of the personal character of Jesus as possessing them. This knowledge, it is obvious, must have rested on a general acquaintance with the facts of the Gospel history, like that implied in his treatment of the Lord’s Supper in [1 Corinthians 11:23-25](/kjv/1-corinthians/11/23-25); and of the Resurrection in [1 Corinthians 15:1-7](/kjv/1-corinthians/15/1-7); and in his reference to our Lord’s teaching in [Acts 20:35](/kjv/acts/20/35). **Who in presence am base among you.**—Literally, *in person*—*i.e.,* in personal appearance. Possibly, however, the translators may have used the word “presence” in this sense. So Bacon speaks of “dignity of presence.” The fact that “outward appearance” is given in the margin as an alternative reading, suggests, however, that though they changed the word, they meant what Cranmer and the Geneva version had expressed by “when I am present with you.” For “base,” read *downcast,* or *of low estate.* We have already seen, in [2 Corinthians 7:6](/kjv/2-corinthians/7/6) a reference to the offensive word. **But being absent am bold toward you.**—This also was one of the taunts. “It was easy to be bold at a distance; but would he have the courage to face them? 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