Paul rebukes those who are only looking at outward appearances. Some of the slander against him has been about his physical presence, rather than the truth of what he teaches. Paul reminds the Corinthians that he was commissioned by God to build them up, not to destroy them. He does not want to scare other believers into submission, but to guide them to obedience to God. He points to his personal integrity, that he lives out what he writes in his letters, even if to some he seems weak and unimpressive in person.
In 2 Corinthians 10:7-112 Corinthians 10:7-11 commentary, commentary Paul continues his discourse answering challenges to his apostolic authority, encouraging the Corinthians to look at the spiritual substance rather than being persuaded by physical appearance. He begins: You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we (v. 7).
When comparing Paul to the competing Jewish “authorities” contending for the Corinthians’ affection, Paul says the Corinthians are looking at things as they are outwardly. He desires the Corinthians to realize that they have been persuaded by worldly rather than spiritual judgments.
This likely refers back to 2 Corinthians 10:12 Corinthians 10:1 commentary, commentary where Paul repeated an apparent critique of him made by his opponents, that he was “meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent.” We saw that “meek” in this verse could be translated “lowly.” The criticism seems to be, “Paul writes like he is somebody big, but when you meet him in person, he is unimpressive.”
Paul now says this is a perspective that is looking at things as they are outwardly. It seems the critics are not evaluating the substance of what Paul says and does, but rather that his oratory delivery is unimpressively delivered.
Before Paul begins his defense in 2 Corinthians 11:222 Corinthians 11:22 commentary, commentary he begins a prelude to the defense, asking those who have bought into this narrative to reconsider: If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s. Christ is the center of all. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:172 Corinthians 5:17 commentary, commentary “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” Every believer should reshape their own identity around the reality of being “in Christ.”
To belong to Christ is to be “in Christ.” To live with the identity of being “in Christ” is to see things through the lens of Christ. Paul desires the Corinthians to adjust their mindset from a worldly “Does he impress me?” and consider this again within himself. Step one is to look at everything through the lens of our identity in Christ. Step two is to reconsider. Step three is to recognize that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we.
The Corinthians have been persuaded by a judgement of Paul, that he is inferior because he is lowly in his physical presence and oration. Paul exhorts them to reconsider their identity; they are new creations in Christ. And Paul is also a new creation in Christ. So, they are both new creations in Christ. Therefore, there is no basis for one to say to the other “You are lowly.”
There is no basis for partiality in Christ (James 2:9James 2:9 commentary). In Christ, all are one (Galatians 3:28Galatians 3:28 commentary). In 2 Corinthians 5:162 Corinthians 5:16 commentary, commentary Paul asserted that he himself applies this perspective toward others, to consider all to be equal in Christ. Even though he has seen Jesus in person, he does not regard that experience to make him superior. This is because all believers are in Christ.
Rather than listening to some other voice who judges Paul’s apostleship by his appearance, his speech, and his seemingly weak presence, Paul now exhorts them to look at him and his authority as an apostle from the perspective of one who is in Christ looking at another who is in Christ.
Paul is confident if the Corinthian believers look at him from their identity of being “in Christ,” they will see a fellow believer who is also “in Christ”: Just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. Paul continues in his answer to the accusation of his unimpressive presence, beginning to introduce the fact that he plans to defend his apostolic authority:
For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame, for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters (vv. 8-9).
It seems that Paul had decided to bring a fact-set to defend his authority, but first must overcome a reluctance to do so. He will not actually start the direct defense of his apostolic authority until 2 Corinthians 11:222 Corinthians 11:22 commentary. But he continues the prelude to that defense that begins in Chapter 10, saying, For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority. He is speaking of his spiritual authority as an apostle.
He will say in 2 Corinthians 10:122 Corinthians 10:12 commentary, commentary “For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves,” making it clear that his boast that will later come about our authority as an apostle is only intended to speak of his sphere of authority as an apostle.
His intent is to honor the scriptural admonition: “HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD” (2 Corinthians 10:172 Corinthians 10:17 commentary). Just before he begins his direct apostolic defense, Paul calls the defense “foolishness” (2 Corinthians 11:212 Corinthians 11:21 commentary). He will also use the same description (foolishness) in 2 Corinthians 11:12 Corinthians 11:1 commentary, 1717 commentary.
His authority as an apostle was given to Him by the Lord. And the Lord gave Paul the apostolic authority for building you up and not for destroying you (you speaking to the Corinthians, v. 8b). Paul is not interested in comparing himself to these competing Jewish “authorities.” But he is interested in the Corinthians understanding that his apostolic authority is real, that he has been a good steward of that authority, and the purpose of the authority was for building you up in Christ.
The opposite of building you up is destroying you. This is relevant because Paul infers that destroying will be the outcome if they follow these opponents. To follow them is to be “led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:32 Corinthians 11:3 commentary). He later refers to this as a “different gospel” (2 Corinthians 11:42 Corinthians 11:4 commentary).
Paul describes the way these competing Jewish “authorities” are treating the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 11:202 Corinthians 11:20 commentary: “For you will tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face.” These are all descriptions of destroying you rather than building you up. The contrast is clear: Paul’s apostolic authority is for building you up and theirs is for destroying you.
From context it seems clear that the big difference between Paul and his opponents is the focus. Paul’s singular focus is to build up the Corinthians in Christ. It is to help them see themselves as being in Christ, helping them develop the mind of Christ, and helping them walk in the obedience of Christ. He does this by example, by his writing, and by his visits.
On the other hand, the competing Jewish “authorities” want to capture the Corinthians and place them under the yoke of their religious rules that they might extract from and lord over them. The focus of his opponents is themselves. The competing Jewish “authorities” “measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves” (2 Corinthians 10:122 Corinthians 10:12 commentary).
Paul has declared in both of his letters to the Corinthians that his ministry seeks edification and building up (2 Corinthians 10:82 Corinthians 10:8 commentary, 12:1912:19 commentary, 1 Corinthians 8:11 Corinthians 8:1 commentary, 14:2614:26 commentary). Paul asserts that even though he plans to boast somewhat to defend his apostolic authority, since his purpose is for building up rather than destroying (as is the intent of his opponents) I will not be put to shame for engaging in the boasting (v. 8c). It seems that the shame Paul has in mind is the shame that would come to him if he abuses his apostolic authority (1 Corinthians 9:181 Corinthians 9:18 commentary).
In order to validate or defend his apostleship, Paul intends to boast somewhat further about our authority as an apostle. That he will boast somewhat further appears to refer to the defense he gave of his apostleship earlier in this letter (for example in 2 Corinthians 2:17 - 3:12 Corinthians 2:17 - 3:1 commentary, 4:54:5 commentary, 7:27:2 commentary).
It appears that something transpired that caused Paul to double back and add chapters 10 and following to expand his apostolic defense. Chapters 8 and 9 focused on exhorting the Corinthians to be generous in supporting a benevolence mission to the believers in need in Judea (which includes Jerusalem), where the following Chapter 10 restarts and escalates the defense, first with a thorough preamble.
Paul will get to the boast to defend his apostleship in the next chapter, beginning in 2 Corinthians 11:222 Corinthians 11:22 commentary. For now he continues a preamble leading up to that defense. He is going to make the defense, but first puts forth this extended prelude to soften the defense so that the Corinthians might hear what he is saying: For I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters (v. 9).
This assertion that Paul does not intend to terrify is supported by the prior claim that his entire ministry is for building you up (from v. 8). Paul asserted in 2 Corinthians 5:112 Corinthians 5:11 commentary that he persuades men because of the “fear of the Lord.” It is the Lord who will judge deeds (2 Corinthians 5:102 Corinthians 5:10 commentary). This is what drives Paul’s behavior, to have a good report before the judgment seat of Christ. This is also what Paul exhorts the Corinthians to focus upon. He desires they focus on Christ and walk in Christ that they might have a good report when we face the judgement of Christ. All is focused on Christ, none on himself.
As he said earlier, “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:102 Corinthians 5:10 commentary).
Again, the central focus is Christ. All who believe on Jesus are in Christ. Our greatest benefit comes from living according to the obedience of Christ. We can do this through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13Philippians 4:13 commentary). And it will be Christ who judges and rewards for our deeds, “whether good or bad.”
We should fear what God thinks, not men. Including Paul. Our behavior should not be driven by fear of rejection or desire for approval by men. Paul’s intent is not to terrify by his letters and gain obedience to him. It is to build up and lead his readers to the obedience of Christ.
Paul, still leading up to his boast (which he will get to in the next chapter) now quotes a charge against him from his opponents, For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible” (v.10).
The they in the phrase For they say is a group of competing Jewish “authorities” seeking to peel the Corinthians away from following Christ and instead follow them and their religious rules. We can tell Paul’s opponents are Jewish from 2 Corinthians 11:222 Corinthians 11:22 commentary, commentary where Paul starts the direct defense, where Paul says he is also a Hebrew, like them.
Paul infers that these opponents are leading the Corinthians to follow “another gospel” (2 Corinthians 11:42 Corinthians 11:4 commentary). He asserts that the Corinthians “tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face. To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison” (2 Corinthians 11:20-212 Corinthians 11:20-21 commentary). Again, their focus is themselves rather than Christ.
The charge against Paul is that he was bold, perhaps even fearless, when writing letters, but when he was in person, he was unimpressive and his speech contemptible.
The claim is that if he really is an apostle, he would show it by being impressive in person. This brings us back to verse 7, where Paul tells the Corinthians, You are looking at things as they are outwardly, rather than looking at the spiritual substance. Perhaps his delivery did not come up to the standards of a great orator, of which Paul himself was aware. He wrote in the first letter,
“And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:1-21 Corinthians 2:1-2 commentary)
Again, the centrality is Christ. Paul did not consider his unimpressive physical presence a problem, but rather a benefit. This was because his purpose was to focus their attention on “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” rather than upon himself.
The Greek word translated unimpressive is translated “sick” in Matthew 25:39Matthew 25:39 commentary, 4343 commentary and commentary “weak” in Matthew 26:41Matthew 26:41 commentary. It seems Paul came across as physically feeble. When we read of the physical abuse he had endured, listed in 2 Corinthians 11:22-292 Corinthians 11:22-29 commentary, commentary we can understand why he might be a little beat up.
He will say toward the end of his defense “Who is weak without my being weak?” (2 Corinthians 11:292 Corinthians 11:29 commentary). The Greek word translated “weak” in 2 Corinthians 11:292 Corinthians 11:29 commentary is the verb form of the Greek word translated unimpressive in v. 10.
Rather than defend against the claim that he is unimpressive by asserting that he is impressive, Paul leans into being unimpressive. The weaker the better, because it helps point people all the more toward Christ. If his speech is contemptible then that is an added bonus from Paul’s perspective, because it helps focus people all the more on the message rather than the messenger.
Paul responds to this charge against his physical presence by pointing out that he is consistent with his teaching. The focus should be on spiritual substance not physical impressiveness. Paul teaches the truth, that it might benefit the Corinthians. He teaches them to walk in the obedience of Christ, and leads by example: Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present (v. 11).
The phrase such a person refers to the critic making the charge that Paul is unimpressive and his speech contemptible. Paul declares that he is the same person, whether writing letters from afar or meeting them in person. What he teaches he does. The Corinthians should not be looking at appearances (2 Corinthians 10:72 Corinthians 10:7 commentary). They should look at the substance of his example.
Paul has presented that he is, in fact, a powerful warrior. But he is a spiritual rather than physical warrior. He has previously argued that he does “not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses” (2 Corinthians 10:42 Corinthians 10:4 commentary). Paul’s focus is upon the spiritual realm, and there the fight is in the mind. The power of Paul’s letters is in the truth. Though when in person he is feeble, he still speaks the truth and practices what he preaches.
Paul will come to them in meekness and gentleness because he seeks to build them up (2 Corinthians 10:12 Corinthians 10:1 commentary, 88 commentary). But he will still be bold and decisive in speaking and living what is true. And, as he has stated, he really desires that the Corinthians clean up this mess before he arrives in person (2 Corinthians 10:22 Corinthians 10:2 commentary). But, as he said in 2 Corinthians 10:62 Corinthians 10:6 commentary and commentary he will say again in 2 Corinthians 13:22 Corinthians 13:2 commentary, commentary if they don’t clean things up, he will do so when he comes to visit in person.
Set to dark mode
2 Corinthians 10:7-11 meaning
In 2 Corinthians 10:7-112 Corinthians 10:7-11 commentary, commentary Paul continues his discourse answering challenges to his apostolic authority, encouraging the Corinthians to look at the spiritual substance rather than being persuaded by physical appearance. He begins: You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we (v. 7).
When comparing Paul to the competing Jewish “authorities” contending for the Corinthians’ affection, Paul says the Corinthians are looking at things as they are outwardly. He desires the Corinthians to realize that they have been persuaded by worldly rather than spiritual judgments.
This likely refers back to 2 Corinthians 10:12 Corinthians 10:1 commentary, commentary where Paul repeated an apparent critique of him made by his opponents, that he was “meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent.” We saw that “meek” in this verse could be translated “lowly.” The criticism seems to be, “Paul writes like he is somebody big, but when you meet him in person, he is unimpressive.”
Paul now says this is a perspective that is looking at things as they are outwardly. It seems the critics are not evaluating the substance of what Paul says and does, but rather that his oratory delivery is unimpressively delivered.
Before Paul begins his defense in 2 Corinthians 11:222 Corinthians 11:22 commentary, commentary he begins a prelude to the defense, asking those who have bought into this narrative to reconsider: If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s. Christ is the center of all. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:172 Corinthians 5:17 commentary, commentary “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” Every believer should reshape their own identity around the reality of being “in Christ.”
To belong to Christ is to be “in Christ.” To live with the identity of being “in Christ” is to see things through the lens of Christ. Paul desires the Corinthians to adjust their mindset from a worldly “Does he impress me?” and consider this again within himself. Step one is to look at everything through the lens of our identity in Christ. Step two is to reconsider. Step three is to recognize that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we.
The Corinthians have been persuaded by a judgement of Paul, that he is inferior because he is lowly in his physical presence and oration. Paul exhorts them to reconsider their identity; they are new creations in Christ. And Paul is also a new creation in Christ. So, they are both new creations in Christ. Therefore, there is no basis for one to say to the other “You are lowly.”
There is no basis for partiality in Christ (James 2:9James 2:9 commentary). In Christ, all are one (Galatians 3:28Galatians 3:28 commentary). In 2 Corinthians 5:162 Corinthians 5:16 commentary, commentary Paul asserted that he himself applies this perspective toward others, to consider all to be equal in Christ. Even though he has seen Jesus in person, he does not regard that experience to make him superior. This is because all believers are in Christ.
Rather than listening to some other voice who judges Paul’s apostleship by his appearance, his speech, and his seemingly weak presence, Paul now exhorts them to look at him and his authority as an apostle from the perspective of one who is in Christ looking at another who is in Christ.
Paul is confident if the Corinthian believers look at him from their identity of being “in Christ,” they will see a fellow believer who is also “in Christ”: Just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. Paul continues in his answer to the accusation of his unimpressive presence, beginning to introduce the fact that he plans to defend his apostolic authority:
For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame, for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters (vv. 8-9).
It seems that Paul had decided to bring a fact-set to defend his authority, but first must overcome a reluctance to do so. He will not actually start the direct defense of his apostolic authority until 2 Corinthians 11:222 Corinthians 11:22 commentary. But he continues the prelude to that defense that begins in Chapter 10, saying, For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority. He is speaking of his spiritual authority as an apostle.
He will say in 2 Corinthians 10:122 Corinthians 10:12 commentary, commentary “For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves,” making it clear that his boast that will later come about our authority as an apostle is only intended to speak of his sphere of authority as an apostle.
His intent is to honor the scriptural admonition: “HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD” (2 Corinthians 10:172 Corinthians 10:17 commentary). Just before he begins his direct apostolic defense, Paul calls the defense “foolishness” (2 Corinthians 11:212 Corinthians 11:21 commentary). He will also use the same description (foolishness) in 2 Corinthians 11:12 Corinthians 11:1 commentary, 1717 commentary.
His authority as an apostle was given to Him by the Lord. And the Lord gave Paul the apostolic authority for building you up and not for destroying you (you speaking to the Corinthians, v. 8b). Paul is not interested in comparing himself to these competing Jewish “authorities.” But he is interested in the Corinthians understanding that his apostolic authority is real, that he has been a good steward of that authority, and the purpose of the authority was for building you up in Christ.
The opposite of building you up is destroying you. This is relevant because Paul infers that destroying will be the outcome if they follow these opponents. To follow them is to be “led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:32 Corinthians 11:3 commentary). He later refers to this as a “different gospel” (2 Corinthians 11:42 Corinthians 11:4 commentary).
Paul describes the way these competing Jewish “authorities” are treating the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 11:202 Corinthians 11:20 commentary: “For you will tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face.” These are all descriptions of destroying you rather than building you up. The contrast is clear: Paul’s apostolic authority is for building you up and theirs is for destroying you.
From context it seems clear that the big difference between Paul and his opponents is the focus. Paul’s singular focus is to build up the Corinthians in Christ. It is to help them see themselves as being in Christ, helping them develop the mind of Christ, and helping them walk in the obedience of Christ. He does this by example, by his writing, and by his visits.
On the other hand, the competing Jewish “authorities” want to capture the Corinthians and place them under the yoke of their religious rules that they might extract from and lord over them. The focus of his opponents is themselves. The competing Jewish “authorities” “measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves” (2 Corinthians 10:122 Corinthians 10:12 commentary).
Paul has declared in both of his letters to the Corinthians that his ministry seeks edification and building up (2 Corinthians 10:82 Corinthians 10:8 commentary, 12:1912:19 commentary, 1 Corinthians 8:11 Corinthians 8:1 commentary, 14:2614:26 commentary). Paul asserts that even though he plans to boast somewhat to defend his apostolic authority, since his purpose is for building up rather than destroying (as is the intent of his opponents) I will not be put to shame for engaging in the boasting (v. 8c). It seems that the shame Paul has in mind is the shame that would come to him if he abuses his apostolic authority (1 Corinthians 9:181 Corinthians 9:18 commentary).
In order to validate or defend his apostleship, Paul intends to boast somewhat further about our authority as an apostle. That he will boast somewhat further appears to refer to the defense he gave of his apostleship earlier in this letter (for example in 2 Corinthians 2:17 - 3:12 Corinthians 2:17 - 3:1 commentary, 4:54:5 commentary, 7:27:2 commentary).
It appears that something transpired that caused Paul to double back and add chapters 10 and following to expand his apostolic defense. Chapters 8 and 9 focused on exhorting the Corinthians to be generous in supporting a benevolence mission to the believers in need in Judea (which includes Jerusalem), where the following Chapter 10 restarts and escalates the defense, first with a thorough preamble.
Paul will get to the boast to defend his apostleship in the next chapter, beginning in 2 Corinthians 11:222 Corinthians 11:22 commentary. For now he continues a preamble leading up to that defense. He is going to make the defense, but first puts forth this extended prelude to soften the defense so that the Corinthians might hear what he is saying: For I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters (v. 9).
This assertion that Paul does not intend to terrify is supported by the prior claim that his entire ministry is for building you up (from v. 8). Paul asserted in 2 Corinthians 5:112 Corinthians 5:11 commentary that he persuades men because of the “fear of the Lord.” It is the Lord who will judge deeds (2 Corinthians 5:102 Corinthians 5:10 commentary). This is what drives Paul’s behavior, to have a good report before the judgment seat of Christ. This is also what Paul exhorts the Corinthians to focus upon. He desires they focus on Christ and walk in Christ that they might have a good report when we face the judgement of Christ. All is focused on Christ, none on himself.
As he said earlier, “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:102 Corinthians 5:10 commentary).
Again, the central focus is Christ. All who believe on Jesus are in Christ. Our greatest benefit comes from living according to the obedience of Christ. We can do this through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13Philippians 4:13 commentary). And it will be Christ who judges and rewards for our deeds, “whether good or bad.”
We should fear what God thinks, not men. Including Paul. Our behavior should not be driven by fear of rejection or desire for approval by men. Paul’s intent is not to terrify by his letters and gain obedience to him. It is to build up and lead his readers to the obedience of Christ.
Paul, still leading up to his boast (which he will get to in the next chapter) now quotes a charge against him from his opponents, For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible” (v.10).
The they in the phrase For they say is a group of competing Jewish “authorities” seeking to peel the Corinthians away from following Christ and instead follow them and their religious rules. We can tell Paul’s opponents are Jewish from 2 Corinthians 11:222 Corinthians 11:22 commentary, commentary where Paul starts the direct defense, where Paul says he is also a Hebrew, like them.
Paul infers that these opponents are leading the Corinthians to follow “another gospel” (2 Corinthians 11:42 Corinthians 11:4 commentary). He asserts that the Corinthians “tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face. To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison” (2 Corinthians 11:20-212 Corinthians 11:20-21 commentary). Again, their focus is themselves rather than Christ.
The charge against Paul is that he was bold, perhaps even fearless, when writing letters, but when he was in person, he was unimpressive and his speech contemptible.
The claim is that if he really is an apostle, he would show it by being impressive in person. This brings us back to verse 7, where Paul tells the Corinthians, You are looking at things as they are outwardly, rather than looking at the spiritual substance. Perhaps his delivery did not come up to the standards of a great orator, of which Paul himself was aware. He wrote in the first letter,
“And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
(1 Corinthians 2:1-21 Corinthians 2:1-2 commentary)
Again, the centrality is Christ. Paul did not consider his unimpressive physical presence a problem, but rather a benefit. This was because his purpose was to focus their attention on “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” rather than upon himself.
The Greek word translated unimpressive is translated “sick” in Matthew 25:39Matthew 25:39 commentary, 4343 commentary and commentary “weak” in Matthew 26:41Matthew 26:41 commentary. It seems Paul came across as physically feeble. When we read of the physical abuse he had endured, listed in 2 Corinthians 11:22-292 Corinthians 11:22-29 commentary, commentary we can understand why he might be a little beat up.
He will say toward the end of his defense “Who is weak without my being weak?” (2 Corinthians 11:292 Corinthians 11:29 commentary). The Greek word translated “weak” in 2 Corinthians 11:292 Corinthians 11:29 commentary is the verb form of the Greek word translated unimpressive in v. 10.
Rather than defend against the claim that he is unimpressive by asserting that he is impressive, Paul leans into being unimpressive. The weaker the better, because it helps point people all the more toward Christ. If his speech is contemptible then that is an added bonus from Paul’s perspective, because it helps focus people all the more on the message rather than the messenger.
Paul responds to this charge against his physical presence by pointing out that he is consistent with his teaching. The focus should be on spiritual substance not physical impressiveness. Paul teaches the truth, that it might benefit the Corinthians. He teaches them to walk in the obedience of Christ, and leads by example: Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present (v. 11).
The phrase such a person refers to the critic making the charge that Paul is unimpressive and his speech contemptible. Paul declares that he is the same person, whether writing letters from afar or meeting them in person. What he teaches he does. The Corinthians should not be looking at appearances (2 Corinthians 10:72 Corinthians 10:7 commentary). They should look at the substance of his example.
Paul has presented that he is, in fact, a powerful warrior. But he is a spiritual rather than physical warrior. He has previously argued that he does “not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses” (2 Corinthians 10:42 Corinthians 10:4 commentary). Paul’s focus is upon the spiritual realm, and there the fight is in the mind. The power of Paul’s letters is in the truth. Though when in person he is feeble, he still speaks the truth and practices what he preaches.
Paul will come to them in meekness and gentleness because he seeks to build them up (2 Corinthians 10:12 Corinthians 10:1 commentary, 88 commentary). But he will still be bold and decisive in speaking and living what is true. And, as he has stated, he really desires that the Corinthians clean up this mess before he arrives in person (2 Corinthians 10:22 Corinthians 10:2 commentary). But, as he said in 2 Corinthians 10:62 Corinthians 10:6 commentary and commentary he will say again in 2 Corinthians 13:22 Corinthians 13:2 commentary, commentary if they don’t clean things up, he will do so when he comes to visit in person.