Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Corinthians 10:1

"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:" — 2 Corinthians 10:1 (ASV)

Now I Paul myself beseech you.—His thoughts, as has been said, have travelled back to Corinth. The stinging words that Titus had reported to him (see Note on 2 Corinthians 10:10) trouble his soul. He speaks in the tone of suppressed indignation, which shows itself in keen, incisive irony. The opening formula is one that he reserves for emphasizing an exceptionally strong emotion (Galatians 5:2; Ephesians 3:1; 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; on that of the second, on Acts 24:4. The disposition 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 about whom he is about to speak were lacking in these 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 (1 Corinthians 11:23–25), the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1–7), and his reference to our Lord’s teaching (Acts 20:35).

Who in presence am base among you.—Literally, in person—that is, in personal appearance. Possibly, however, the translators may have used the word “presence” in this sense. For example, Bacon speaks of “dignity of presence.”

The fact that “outward appearance” is given in the margin as an alternative reading suggests, however, that although 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 a reference to this offensive word in 2 Corinthians 7:6.

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? Was not his delay in coming a proof that he was shirking that encounter?”