Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - 2 Corinthians 10:1 - 10:1
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
2Co 10:1. Αὐτὸς δὲ ἐγὼ Παῦλος, now I Paul myself) An expression very demonstrative and emphatic. Myself forms an antithesis, either to Titus and the two brethren, in reference to what Paul premised [2Co 8:18; 2Co 8:22, 2Co 9:3]: or, to the Corinthians, who of themselves were bound to attend to their duty; or, even to Paul himself, who was about to use greater severity when in their presence [2Co 10:2; 2Co 10:11], so that αὐτὸς, myself, may signify, of my own accord.-παρακαλῶ) exhort, advise, for your sake; when I might command and threaten. The antithesis is δέομαι δὲ, but I beseech, for my own sake, in the next verse [Engl. Vers. loses this antithesis by rendering both verbs, I beseech].-διὰ, by) A motive equally applicable to Paul and the Corinthians.-πρᾳότηος καὶ ἐπιεικίας, the meekness and gentleness) πρᾳότης, meekness, a virtue more absolute: ἐπιείκεια, leniency, gentleness, is more in relation to others. Each of these is the true source of even his severest admonitions [and ought to be so in ours also].-τοῦ Χριστοῦ, of Christ[60]) This signifies, that he did not derive his meekness from nature. Or else, διὰ, by, is used as at Rom 12:1 [I beseech you by the mercies of God], so that the meekness and gentleness of Christ Himself seem to be understood; but the objection to this view is, that ἐπιείκεια, gentleness, appears to be predicated of Christ Himself in no other passage, and this is a usual mode of speaking with Paul, to represent Christ as working and exerting His power in him and by him. Comp. the phrase, the truth of Christ [is in me], i.e., the truth in Christ, 2Co 11:10; and add Php 1:8, note.-ὃς, who) This is a pleasant mimesis or allusion to their usual mode of speaking, 2Co 10:10, a figure which is also here repeated more than once in the verb λογίζομαι.[61]-ΤΑΠΕΙΝῸς) humble [lowly. Engl. Vers., base], timid.
[60] i.e. By the meekness and gentleness derived by me from Christ.-ED.
[61] Λογίζομαι, I am thought, Λογισμοὺς, 2Co 10:5; λογιζέσθω, 2Co 10:7; 2Co 10:11, all refer to the λογισμοὶ of the Corinthians (2Co 10:2, λογιζομένους) by Mimesis.-ED.