2Co 10:1
10:1 Now {1} I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and {a}
     gentleness of Christ, who in presence [am] base among you,
     but being absent am bold toward you:

 (1) He returns to the defence of his apostleship, but in such a
     way that he uses his authority in his defence: for he warns
     them earnestly and gravely, using also terrible
     threatenings, to show themselves to be those who are able
     to be instructed.  And he reviles certain proud men who
     made no better account of him, than of a bragging proud
     man, in that he used to be sharp against them when he was
     absent, because they saw no great majesty in him after the
     manner of men; and besides, he had proved his gentleness,
     even though in his absence he had written to them sharply.
     Therefore first of all he professes that he was gentle and
     moderate, but after the example of Christ: but if they
     continue still to despise his gentleness, he protests to
     them that he will show indeed how far they are deceived,
     who judge the office of an apostle in the same way that
     they judge worldly offices, that is, according to the
     outward appearance.
     (a) That nature which is inclined to mercy, rather than to
         rigor of justice.

2Co 10:2
10:2 But I beseech [you], that I may not be bold when I am
     present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold
     against some, which think of us as if we walked {b}
     according to the flesh.

     (b) As though I had no other aid and help than that which
         outwardly I seem to have: and therefore Paul contrasts
         his flesh, that is, his weak condition and state, with
         his spiritual and apostolic dignity.

2Co 10:3
10:3 {2} For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after
     the flesh:

 (2) Secondly, he witnesses that although he is similar to other
     men, yet he comes furnished with that strength which no
     defence of man can match, whether they resist by craft and
     deceit, or by force and might, because he battles with
     divine weapons.

2Co 10:4
10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not {c} carnal, but
     mighty through {d} God to the pulling down of strong
     holds;)

     (c) Are not those weapons that men get authority over one
         another with, and do great acts.
     (d) Stand upon the foundation of God's infinite power.

2Co 10:5
10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that
     exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, {3} and
     bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of
     Christ;

 (3) An amplification of this spiritual power, which conquers
     the enemies in such a way, be they ever so crafty and
     mighty, that it brings some of them by repentance to
     Christ, and justly avenges others that are stubbornly
     obstinate, separating them from the others who allow
     themselves to be ruled.

2Co 10:7
10:7 {4} Do ye look on things after the {e} outward appearance?
     If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of
     {f} himself think this again, that, as he [is] Christ's,
     even so [are] we Christ's.

 (4) He emphasises the same matter with very weighty words and
     sentences.
     (e) Do you judge things according to the outward
         appearance?
     (f) Not being told about it by me.

2Co 10:10
10:10 For [his] letters, say {g} they, [are] weighty and
      powerful; but [his] bodily presence [is] weak, and [his]
      speech contemptible.

      (g) He notes out those who were the cause of these words.

2Co 10:12
10:12 {5} For we {h} dare not make ourselves of the number, or
      compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but
      they measuring themselves by {i} themselves, and {k}
      comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

 (5) Being forced to refute the foolish braggings of certain
     ambitious men, he witnesses that they are able to bring
     nothing, but that they falsely think highly of themselves.
     And as for himself, although he brags of excellent things,
     yet he will not pass the bounds which God has measured him
     out.  And according to these bounds he came even to them in
     preaching the Gospel of Christ, and trusts that he will go
     further, when they have so profited that he will not need
     to remain any longer among them to instruct them.  And to
     this is added an amplification, in that he never followed
     the labours of other men.
     (h) This is spoken in a taunting manner.
     (i) Upon a vain persuasion that they have of themselves,
         they attribute to themselves anything at all.
     (k) They condemn others, and measure all their doings only
         by themselves.

2Co 10:13
10:13 But we will not boast of things without [our] {l} measure,
      but according to the measure of the rule which God hath
      distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

      (l) Of those things which God has not measured to me.

2Co 10:15
10:15 Not boasting of things {m} without [our] measure, [that
      is], of other men's labours; but having hope, when your
      faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you
      according to our rule abundantly,

      (m) As though God had divided the whole world among the
          apostles to be governed.

2Co 10:16
10:16 To preach the gospel in the [regions] beyond you, [and]
      not to boast in {n} another man's line of things made
      ready to our hand.

      (n) In countries which other men have prepared and
          cultivated with the preaching of the Gospel.

2Co 10:17
10:17 {6} But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

 (6) He somewhat moderates that which he spoke of himself, and
     in so doing also prepares the Corinthians to hear other
     things, witnessing that he seeks nothing else but to
     approve himself to God, whose glory alone he seeks.



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