2 Corinthians 10:1

Beseech. Gr. parakaled, “to entreat,” “to admonish,” “to exhort.” This chapter begins the third major section of the epistle, consisting of chs. 10-13. In chs. 1-7 Paul dwells on the power and glory of the apostolic ministry; in chs. 8; 9 the collection for the poor at Jerusalem; in chs. 10:1 to 13:10 Paul himself as an apostle. Here Paul vindicates his apostolic authority and contrasts it with that of his opponents, the “false apostles” (ch. 11:13) who were troubling the church at Corinth. See on v. 22.

In the first nine chapters Paul addresses the cooperative majority, and there is only passing reference to the false leaders and any who may have been influenced by them (chs. 2:17; 3:1; 5:12). Here he warns the Corinthians against these “false apostles” in their midst. He was already fully aware of their baleful influence in the church, but Titus had no doubt brought him a further report of their evil work. For the majority he had nothing but words of affection, exhortation, and reconciliation. But in spite of his instruction the Judaizing element (see on ch. 11:22) had not been won over.

Writing to the Corinthian church near the close of the century, Clement of Rome found the same antagonistic elements at work. Nevertheless, Paul’s rebuke of this insubordinate group seems, for a time at least, to have freed the church from the dissension stirred up by it. His firm dealing with the situation left no question in the minds of the Corinthian believers as to his authority as an apostle. The closing chapters of 2 Corinthians are rich with counsel for those who have to meet similar discordant elements today.

An understanding of the nature of the change at this point in the epistle is essential to a correct interpretation of what follows. The first person plural “we” gives way to the first person singular “I.” The first words in the Greek are intensely personal and emphatic, “I Paul myself” (cf. Gal. 5:2; Eph. 3:1; Philemon 19). The apostle now poses the full weight of his authority and personality against the false, Judaizing (see on 2 Cor. 11:22) leaders. They have charged him with cowardice and timidity (ch. 10:1, 2), contemptible speech (ch. 11:6), doubtful intelligence and judgment (vs. 16-19). But they are false guides with erroneous teachings and “another gospel” (v. 4). They are insolent braggarts (vs. 20, 21), impertinent intruders (ch. 10:15), and guilty of imposing themselves upon the believers (ch. 11:20). But at last a time of reckoning has come. They will now have to deal with Paul personally. In these chapters his general tone is one of indignation and stinging rebuke. At times he speaks almost apologetically for the severity of what he feels must be said. Nowhere else in Paul’s writings is there anything comparable in spirit and method to what appears in chs. 10-13.

Meekness. Gr. praotes, “gentleness,” “mildness,” “meekness.” For a study of the related word praiis see on Matt. 5:5.

Gentleness. Gr. epieikeia, “mildness,” “gentleness,” “fairness.” Perhaps “gentleness” best expresses the shade of meaning conveyed by epieikeia, but with the added ideas of equity and fairness prompted by sincere love and devotion.

Paul prefers to imitate the meek and gentle spirit of Christ in his dealings with men, and takes no pleasure in severity. But even his severity is marked with humility. In vs. 1—6 Paul pleads with the Corinthians not to compel him to use stern measures and words against them. Such weapons are seldom the most effective, and their use can be justified only when “meekness and gentleness” fail. Paul is on his way to Corinth, and will soon confront his opponents face to face. If it is stern discipline they want, he is quite prepared to administer it. His present appeal, severe in tone though it is, will, he hopes, obviate the need for even more severe words when he appears in person.

Paul’s opponents were arrogant, willful, and self-conceited. They misconstrued his meekness for weakness, his gentleness for cowardice. Accordingly they were beyond the reach of conciliatory appeals and kind exhortation such as that of chs. 1-7. The only way to penetrate their callous self-satisfaction was by the rebuke, denunciation, and exposure of chs. 10-13. Those who suffer from an inflated idea of their own importance are usually unimpressed by the gentler virtues. They even disdain those who possess the finer qualities of humility and gentleness. To them, position and leadership maintained by dominating others is the mark of success. Paul therefore explains that although he would have preferred to address himself to them in the spirit of mildness, their own attitude has compelled him to use sterner measures.

Base. Gr. tapeinos, “lowly” or “humble,” here in an uncomplimentary sense. Paul alludes to the taunts of his opponents (v. 10; cf. ch. 12:5, 7). They had ridiculed him, insinuating he was a weakling and a coward. Furthermore, had he not been afraid all along to come to Corinth? Had he not delayed coming because he dreaded facing them? Had he not compensated for this timidity by writing severe letters?

Bold. Gr. tharreo, “to be of good courage,” “to be hopeful,” “to be bold” (see v. 10).