2 Corinthians 10:1
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:
Study Note
Study Note
Paul opens his most intense section of self-defense by appealing to 'the meekness and gentleness of Christ' — establishing that apostolic authority operates through Christlike character, not worldly forcefulness. The ironic self-characterization 'I who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold' echoes his opponents' caricature of his letters as strong but his personal presence as weak (10:10). Paul's response (10:4-5) is to claim that the weapons of his warfare are 'not carnal but mighty through God' — a reformulation of power that redefines apostolic authority entirely in terms of divine empowerment rather than personal impressiveness. The verse models the Christological pattern: Christ's authority was expressed in meekness (Matthew 11:29: 'I am gentle and lowly in heart').
Other Translations
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:
And I, Paul, myself, do call upon you--through the meekness and gentleness of the Christ--who in presence, indeed <FI>am<Fi> humble among you, and being absent, have courage toward you,
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:
Cross References
And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee …
A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment …
He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait …
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, …
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall …
He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto …
Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a …
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and …
But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest …