2 CORINTHIANS 10:1 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“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:”
By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you — I, Paul, who am 'timid' when face to face with you but 'bold' toward you when away — Paul grounds his appeal (*parakaléō*) in *prautēs* (meekness/gentleness) and *epieikeia* (reasonableness) of Christ himself, yet immediately ironizes: he is accused of timidity (*tapeinos*) in person but boldness (*tharrhéō*, confidence) in letters. The irony is *devastating*: Paul is about to demolish his opponents with apostolic authority while claiming meekness.
Church Fathers on 2 Corinthians 10:1
Having completed, in such sort as behooved his discourse of almsgiving, and having shown that he loves them more than he is loved, and having recounted the circumstances of his patience and trials, he now opportunely enters upon points involving more of reproof, making allusion to the false apostles, and concluding his discourse with more disagreeable matter, and with commendations of himself. For he makes this his business also throughout the Epistle. Which also perceiving,…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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