2 CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 10
Paul’s Apostolic Authority. 2 Cor. 10, 1–18
Paul’s authority is powerful: V.10. For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak and his speech contemptible. V.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.
But the authority was his, nevertheless, as lie asserts with reference to the reports which were being spread by his enemies, who said that his letters were weighty arid powerful, that he used expressions and made threats in his letters which were important, impressive, forcible.
But they advised people not to be intimidated, because his bodily presence was weak and his speech contemptible. They implied that his bodily presence was not commanding, it lacked power, just as his oral instructions had been received with contempt. It seems that, although Paul was an able arid effective speaker, his excessive humility in Corinth had not permitted these facts to appear in the proper nay, and the result was such as to make him appear all but ridiculous in the eyes of his enemies.
But Paul’s answer to people of that character is: Let such a one reckon that, such as we are in word by letters when absent, such are we also in deed when present. It would be an easy matter for him to lay aside his benevolent meekness and to come, in both appearance and speech, as the apostle of the Lord, vested with an authority whose power they would soon feel. He would show them the perfect harmony between his threats and the execution of his words; his personal influence would be found to be fully as important and energetic as that which he had shown in his writings.