230 II. CORINTHIANS 10, 1.

nent, in saying I. This is rendered the more emphatic by the addition of the word myself; a^ros iyw, 1 7ny self the man whom you so despise and calumniate. Comp. Gal. 5, 2. Eph. 3, 1. Philemon, 19. In this case the expression is so emphatic that many suppose that Paul here began to write with his own hand ; as though he were so excited, that he seized the -pen from his amanuensis, and says, ' I Paul myself now write to you.' This, however, is unnecessary, and unsustained by any thing in the context. Beseech you by the meekness and gen- tleness of Christ. That is, the meekness and gentleness which belonged to Christ, and which, therefore, his disciples are bound to imitate. To beseech by (8ta), is to beseech on ac- count of, or out of regard to. The request is enforced by a reference to the obligation of Christians to be meek and gen- tle as was their Lord. Matt. 11, 29. Is. 42, 2. In Rom, 12, 1, we have a similar exj^ression, " I beseech you by the mercies of God." See Phil. 2, 1. The words Trpaorrjs and iiruLKaa dif- fer very much as our words meekness and gentleness do ; the former referring more to the inward virtue, the latter to its outward expression. As Christians are bound to be meek and gentle, Paul begged the Corinthians not to force him to be severe. He describes himself as his opposers described him, as craven when present, and a braggart when absent. Who m presence am base among you. In presence, Kara Trpoo-wTrov, coram^ before, towards the face of any one, here opposed to d-TTwi/, ccbsent. The word raTretvos, literally, loio ; then lowly, humble. It is commonly used in a good sense. Our Lord says of himself that he was, raTreii/os rrj /capSta, loicly in hearty and his follovrers are always described as the loicly. But the word also means doicncast^ as in 7, 6, and thence it sometimes expresses depression when it is the effect of the want of cour- age. This is its meaning here. But being absent am bold toicards you. Bold, in the sense opposite to base, or craven. This word also (dapfjeoi) is commonly used in a good sense, 5, 6. It is only the context which gives it a different shade of meaning. Paul was regarded by his enemies as in heart a coward, and his boldness as merely assumed when there was no danger to confront. No one (except Ruckert) now be- lieves this. True heroism was never more fully exemplified than in the life of this apostle, who against numbers, wealth and power, always was true to his convictions ; who encoun- tered all manner of dangers and sufferings in the service of Christ, and whose wliole conduct showed that he was ready