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Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024
the Week of Proper 21 / Ordinary 26
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Read the Bible

THE MESSAGE

2 Corinthians 10:1

And now a personal but most urgent matter; I write in the gentle but firm spirit of Christ. I hear that I'm being painted as cringing and wishy-washy when I'm with you, but harsh and demanding when at a safe distance writing letters. Please don't force me to take a hard line when I'm present with you. Don't think that I'll hesitate a single minute to stand up to those who say I'm an unprincipled opportunist. Then they'll have to eat their words.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Church;   Example;   Gentleness;   Jesus, the Christ;   Meekness;   Minister, Christian;   Paul;   Thompson Chain Reference - Christ;   Church;   Discipline;   Divine;   Example;   Gentleness;   God;   Government;   Meekness;   Meekness-Retaliation;   The Topic Concordance - War/weapons;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Boldness, Holy;   Meekness;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Meekness;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Gentleness;   Meekness;   War, Holy War;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Corinth;   Siloam, the Pool of;   Holman Bible Dictionary - 2 Corinthians;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Corinthians, Second Epistle to;   Philemon, Epistle to;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Boldness;   Example;   Gentleness (2);   Gospels (2);   Lowliness;   Meekness;   Meekness (2);   Paul;   Paul (2);   Presence;   Self-Denial;   Sheep, Shepherd;   Token;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - 33 Patience Long-Suffering Forbearance;   34 Meekness Quietness;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Base;   Clemency;   Corinthians, Second Epistle to the;   Gentleness;   Meekness;   Moderately;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for December 7;   Every Day Light - Devotion for May 11;  

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent!
Legacy Standard Bible
Now I, Paul, myself plead with you by the gentleness and forbearance of Christ—I who am humble when face-to-face with you, but courageous toward you when absent!
Simplified Cowboy Version
Listen boys, I'm writing to you with all the kindness Jesus has given me. Some of y'all think I talk big in letters and small in person, but that ain't the case at all.
Bible in Basic English
Now I, Paul, myself make request to you by the quiet and gentle behaviour of Christ, I who am poor in spirit when with you, but who say what is in my mind to you without fear when I am away from you:
Darby Translation
But I myself, Paul, entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of the Christ, who, as to appearance, [when present] [am] mean among you, but absent am bold towards you;
Christian Standard Bible®
Now I, Paul, make a personal appeal to you by the gentleness and graciousness of Christ—I who am humble among you in person but bold toward you when absent.
World English Bible
Now I Paul, myself, entreat you by the humility and gentleness of Christ; I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am of good courage toward you.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Now I Paul myself, who when present am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you, intreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ,
Weymouth's New Testament
But as for me Paul, I entreat you by the gentleness and self-forgetfulness of Christ--I who when among you have not an imposing personal presence, but when absent am fearlessly outspoken in dealing with you.
King James Version (1611)
Now I Paul my selfe beseech you, by the meekenes and gentlenesse of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent, am bold toward you:
Literal Translation
And I myself, Paul, call on you through the meekness and gentleness of Christ (I, who indeed to look upon, am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you);
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
I Paul my selfe beseke you by the mekenesse and softnesse off Christ, which when I am present amonge you, am of small reputacion, but am bolde towarde you beynge absent.
Mace New Testament (1729)
I who am a person of a mean presence, when among you, but exert myself upon your account, when absent; I Paul intreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, not to let me exert that authority,
Amplified Bible
Now I, Paul, urge you by the gentleness and graciousness of Christ—I who am meek [so they say] when with you face to face, but bold [outspoken and fearless] toward you when absent!
American Standard Version
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:
Revised Standard Version
I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold to you when I am away! --
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
I Paule my silfe beseche you by the mekenes and softnes of Christ which when I am present amoge you am of no reputacio but am bolde towarde you beinge absent.
Update Bible Version
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:
Webster's Bible Translation
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 towards you:
Young's Literal Translation
And I, Paul, myself, do call upon you -- through the meekness and gentleness of the Christ -- who in presence, indeed [am] humble among you, and being absent, have courage toward you,
New Century Version
I, Paul, am begging you with the gentleness and the kindness of Christ. Some people say that I am easy on you when I am with you and bold when I am away.
New English Translation
Now I, Paul, appeal to you personally by the meekness and gentleness of Christ (I who am meek when present among you, but am full of courage toward you when away!)—
Berean Standard Bible
Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you-I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.
Contemporary English Version
Do you think I am a coward when I am with you and brave when I am far away? Well, I ask you to listen, because Christ himself was humble and gentle.
Complete Jewish Bible
Now it is I myself, Sha'ul, making an appeal to you with the meekness and forbearance that come from the Messiah, I who am considered timid when face-to-face with you but intimidating from a distance.
English Standard Version
I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!—
Geneva Bible (1587)
Nowe I Paul my selfe beseech you by the meekenes, and gentlenes of Christ, which when I am present among you am base, but am bolde toward you being absent:
George Lamsa Translation
NOW I, Paul, beseech you by the gentleness and meekness of Christ, even though I am humble when present among you, I have the assurance when I am far away,
Hebrew Names Version
Now I Sha'ul, myself, entreat you by the humility and gentleness of Messiah; I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am of good courage toward you.
International Standard Version
Now I myself, Paul, plead with you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ - I who am humble when I am face to face with you but forceful toward you when I am away!Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 12:5,7, 9-10;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
BUT I Paulos beseech of you by the peacefulness and humility of the Meshiha, (I) who also in presence am humble with you, but while far off am confident over you,
Murdock Translation
Now I, Paul, beseech you, by the mildness and gentleness of the Messiah, although I am mild towards you when present, but bold towards you when absent !
New King James Version
Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.
New Living Translation
Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away.
New Life Bible
I, Paul, ask you this myself. I do it through Christ Who is so gentle and kind. Some people say that I am gentle and quiet when I am with you, but that I have no fear and that my language is strong when I am away from you.
English Revised Version
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:
New Revised Standard
I myself, Paul, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!—
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Moreover, I, Paul, myself, exhort you, through the meekness and considerateness of the Christ, - I who, to look upon, indeed, am lowly toward you, but, absent, am bold towards you; -
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now I Paul, myself beseech you, by the mildness and modesty of Christ: who in presence indeed am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.
King James Version
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:
Lexham English Bible
Now I, Paul, appeal to you myself by the humility and gentleness of Christ, who when I am present in person am humble among you, but when I am absent am bold toward you—
Bishop's Bible (1568)
I Paul my selfe beseche you by the mekenesse & gentlenesse of Christ, whiche when I am present among you, am lowlye: but am bolde towarde you beyng absent.
Easy-to-Read Version
I, Paul, am begging you with the gentleness and the kindness of Christ. Some say that I am bold when I am writing you from a distance, but not when I am there with you.
New American Standard Bible
Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent!
Good News Translation
I, Paul, make a personal appeal to you—I who am said to be meek and mild when I am with you, but harsh with you when I am away. By the gentleness and kindness of Christ
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Y my silf Poul biseche you, bi the myldenesse and softnesse of Crist, which in the face am meke among you, and Y absent triste in you.

Contextual Overview

1And now a personal but most urgent matter; I write in the gentle but firm spirit of Christ. I hear that I'm being painted as cringing and wishy-washy when I'm with you, but harsh and demanding when at a safe distance writing letters. Please don't force me to take a hard line when I'm present with you. Don't think that I'll hesitate a single minute to stand up to those who say I'm an unprincipled opportunist. Then they'll have to eat their words. 3The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

I Paul: 1 Corinthians 16:21, 1 Corinthians 16:22, Galatians 5:2, 2 Thessalonians 3:17, Philemon 1:9, Revelation 1:9

beseech: 2 Corinthians 10:2, 2 Corinthians 5:20, 2 Corinthians 6:1, Romans 12:1, Ephesians 4:1, 1 Peter 2:11

by: Psalms 45:4, Isaiah 42:3, Isaiah 42:4, Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 11:29, Matthew 12:19, Matthew 12:20, Matthew 21:5, Acts 8:32, 1 Peter 2:22, 1 Peter 2:23

presence: or, outward appearance, 2 Corinthians 10:7, 2 Corinthians 10:10

base: Rather, lowly, or humble, פבנויםןע [Strong's G5011], which some think refers to his lowness of stature. 2 Corinthians 10:10, 2 Corinthians 11:30, 2 Corinthians 12:5, 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, 2 Corinthians 13:4, 1 Corinthians 2:3, 1 Corinthians 4:10, Galatians 4:13

bold: 2 Corinthians 3:12, *marg. 2 Corinthians 7:4, 2 Corinthians 11:21, 2 Corinthians 13:2, 2 Corinthians 13:3, Romans 10:20, Romans 15:15

Reciprocal: Numbers 12:3 - very Psalms 18:35 - gentleness Isaiah 11:4 - for the meek Matthew 18:10 - heed Luke 22:51 - And he John 13:14 - ye also John 18:23 - If 1 Corinthians 1:10 - I beseech 1 Corinthians 4:21 - and 1 Corinthians 5:3 - as absent 2 Corinthians 11:7 - in Galatians 6:1 - in the Ephesians 3:1 - I Philippians 4:12 - how to be 1 Thessalonians 2:6 - when 1 Thessalonians 2:7 - we 1 Thessalonians 4:1 - we 2 Timothy 2:24 - but Titus 3:2 - gentle Philemon 1:8 - bold Hebrews 13:22 - suffer James 3:13 - with meekness James 3:17 - gentle 1 Peter 2:18 - the good 1 Peter 3:4 - a meek 3 John 1:10 - I will

Cross-References

Genesis 5:1
This is the family tree of the human race: When God created the human race, he made it godlike, with a nature akin to God. He created both male and female and blessed them, the whole human race.
Genesis 6:9
This is the story of Noah: Noah was a good man, a man of integrity in his community. Noah walked with God. Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Genesis 9:1
God blessed Noah and his sons: He said, "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill the Earth! Every living creature—birds, animals, fish—will fall under your spell and be afraid of you. You're responsible for them. All living creatures are yours for food; just as I gave you the plants, now I give you everything else. Except for meat with its lifeblood still in it—don't eat that.
Matthew 1:1
The family tree of Jesus Christ, David's son, Abraham's son:

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Now I Paul myself beseech you,.... The apostle having said what was necessary and proper to stir up the Corinthians to a liberal contribution for the poor saints at Jerusalem, returns to the vindication of himself against the false apostles; and earnestly entreats the members of this church,

by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, not to regard their reproaches, and join with them in them; for did they but consider the meek and gentle deportment of Christ, so worthy of his and their imitation, they would see there was no reason to reflect on him for that part of his conduct, in which he followed his Lord and master; whose meekness was to be seen in the assumption of human nature, in the whole of his life and conversation, and in his sufferings and death; and his "gentleness" of Spirit to be observed in his coming into this world, not to judge and condemn it, but that the world might be saved; in bearing all indignities and insults, without being provoked to wrath and revenge; in rebuking his disciples for the severity of their spirits, declaring he came to save, and not take away the lives of men; in praying for his enemies, and in his silence under all the ill treatment he met with from the worst of men. As the apostle had this excellent example before him, which served both to regulate his conduct, and support him under the hard measures he met with, so he was desirous to direct others to the observance of it, which might be a check upon the ill usage of him. He here speaks of himself in the language of his adversaries, who meant by these characters to expose him to scorn and contempt: "I Paul myself"; whose name the false teachers played upon, it signifying "little"; and he being of little stature, they reproached him for it, and would insinuate, that as his name was "little", and his person mean, his bodily presence weak, and his speech contemptible, that he had a little soul, was a man of small knowledge, mean parts, and a very insignificant minister. Now it is as if the apostle should say, I am not ashamed of my name, nor of my person, and I am willing to own myself the least of the apostles, yea, less than the least of all saints; but I beg of you by the mild and gentle Spirit of my Lord and master, whom I am not ashamed to imitate, that you would not join in those sneers. I am Paul, αυτος, the "same" in my principles and practice, in my doctrine and life, when present and absent; though my enemies say the contrary, as that I am such an one,

who in presence am base, or "humble among you": they suggested, that when he was at Corinth he was humble and modest in his conversation, mild and gentle in all his expressions and deportment; and which they interpreted of a meanness and baseness of spirit, as though he crept and cringed to curry favour with men, to avoid offence, and gain and keep an interest among them:

but being absent, am bold toward you; wrote blustering, hectoring, terrifying letters, threatening to come with his apostolic rod and deliver them up to Satan, to fright them into a compliance with him.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Now I Paul myself beseech you - I entreat you who are members of the church not to give me occasion for the exercise of severity in discipline. I have just expressed my confidence in the church in general, and my belief that you will act in accordance with the rules of the gospel. But I cannot thus speak of all. There are some among you who have spoken with contempt of my authority and my claims as an apostle. Of them I cannot speak in this manner; but instead of commanding them I entreat them not to give me occasion for the exercise of discipline.

By the meekness and gentleness of Christ - In view of the meekness and mildness of the Redeemer; or desiring to imitate his gentleness and kindness. Paul wished to imitate that. He did not wish to have occasion for severity. He desired at all times to imitate, and to exhibit the gentle feelings of the Saviour. He had no pleasure in severity; and he did not desire to exhibit it.

Who in presence - Margin, In outward appearance. It may either mean that when present among them he appeared, according to their representation, to be humble, mild, gentle 2 Corinthians 10:10; or that in his external appearance he had this aspect; see on 2 Corinthians 10:10. Most probably it means that they had represented him, as timid when among them, and afraid to exercise discipline, however much he had threatened it.

Am base among you - The word used here (ταπεινὸς tapeinos) usually means low, humble, poor. Here it means timid, modest, the opposite of boldness. Such was formerly the meaning of the English word base. It was applied to those of low degree or rank; of humble birth; and stood opposed to those of elevated rank or dignity. Now it is commonly used to denote that which is degraded or worthless; of mean spirit; vile; and stands opposed to that which is manly and noble. But Paul did not mean to use it here in that sense. He meant to say that they regarded him as timid and afraid to execute the punishment which he had threatened, and as manifesting a spirit which was the opposite of boldness. This was doubtless a charge which they brought against him; but we are not necessarily to infer that it was true. All that it proves is, that he was modest and unobtrusive, and that they interpreted this as timidity and lack of spirit.

But being absent am bold toward you - That is, in my letters; see on 2 Corinthians 10:10. This they charged him with, that he was bold enough when away from them, but that he would be tame enough when he should meet them face to face, and that they had nothing to fear from him.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

CHAPTER X.

The apostle vindicates himself against the aspersions cast on

his person by the false apostle; and takes occasion to mention

his spiritual might and authority, 1-6.

He shows them the impropriety of judging after the outward

appearance, 7.

Again refers to his apostolical authority, and informs them

that when he again comes among them he will show himself in

his deeds as powerful as his letters intimated, 8-11.

He shows that these false teachers sat down in other men's

labours, having neither authority nor influence from God to

break up new ground, while he and the apostles in general had

the regions assigned to them through which they were to sow

the seed of life; and that he never entered into any place

where the work was made ready to his hand by others, 12-16.

He concludes with intimating that the glorying of those false

apostles was bad; that they had nothing but self-commendation;

and that they who glory should glory in the Lord, 17, 18.

NOTES ON CHAP. X.

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 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.


 
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