2 Corinthians 10:1
What does 2 Corinthians 10:1 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 10:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 10:1 means
Paul opens with an earnest appeal grounded in the meekness and gentleness of Christ. He chooses Christ’s posture as the model for how he addresses a tense situation. Some in Corinth thought Paul was unimpressive in person and only bold from a distance. Here he acknowledges that perception, calling himself “lowly” among them, yet “of good courage” when absent. His point is not to defend his personality but to show that true spiritual leadership mirrors Christ’s character. Gentleness is not weakness; it is strength under control. Paul wants his tone, even in correction, to reflect the Savior who is both humble and authoritative.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now 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:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now 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:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now 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:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now 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:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And 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,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now I Paul, myself beseech you, by the mildness and modesty of Christ: who in presence indeed am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But I myself, Paul, entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of the Christ, who, as to appearance, [when present] [am] mean among you, but absent am bold towards you;
Context
After defending his integrity earlier in the letter, Paul turns in chapters 10–13 to confront critics who belittle his authority. Verse 1 sets the keynote: he will address hard issues, but he will do so in Christlike meekness. The accusation about his unimpressive presence frames the coming argument. Next, in verse 2, Paul asks that he not be forced to use severe boldness when he comes. The frame is pastoral: he prefers gentleness, but he will exercise firm authority if necessary.
v.1This passage
v.2yea, I beseech you, that I may not when present show courage with the confidence wherewith I count to be bold against some, who count of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 4:10
We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye have glory, but we have dishonor.
- Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.
- 2 Corinthians 12:7
And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch.
- Acts 8:32
Now the passage of the scripture which he was reading was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, So he openeth not his mouth:
- Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy king cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, even upon a colt the foal of an ass.
- 2 Corinthians 10:2
yea, I beseech you, that I may not when present show courage with the confidence wherewith I count to be bold against some, who count of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
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