The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 239

EXPOSITION. e.ud that he roferrcd all grounds of boast- CHAPTER X. ing solely to the judgment of God (vers. 17, 18). With this ch&pter begins the 11\et groat Ver. 1.-Now I Paul myself. The words, section of the Epistle (ver. I-oh. xiiL 10), as Theodoret says, express the emphasis of which contains e.n impassioned vindio11tion apostolic dignity. He ie going to speak of of the e.postle'e position as oompared with himself and for himself. " I, the very Paul, that of hiB opponents. It is so muoh more with whose name you make so free." The c.oujecture may not even be impossible tho.t vehement and severe th11n the former part this portion of the letter may have been of the Epistle, and the whole style and tone 'IVl'itteu with his own hand. Pcrh11ps he of the Epistle at this point change so com- began without e.ny ir,tcutiou of writing more pletely, that many have supposed that this than a few concluding words, but he w11e ?Srried away by his feelings, and the eub- is in reality &nother letter, and some have Ject grew under his hands (comp. Gal. v. 2; even identified it with the letter alluded to Eph. iii. I; Philem. 19). Beseeoh; rather, in eh. vii. 8-12.. There ie no trace of ex- ezhort. By the meekness and gentleness ol ternal evidence in favour of this view. It Christ. The conduct whioh he is obliged is much more probable that St. Paul would to threaten might seem incompatible with here have ended his Jetter but for fresh in- this meekness and gentleness (Matt. xi. 29, 30). It we.e not really eo, beoouse· even formation given him by Titus, or the arrival Christ had been compelled 11t times "to of some new mcssen;cr from Corinth, from burst into plain thuuderings and lightnings." whom he len.rnt the bitter way in which his Still, severity and indignation were not in enemies spoke of him. The most flagrant themselves after the inmost heart and will offender seems to have been one tee.chcr of Christ, though human perversity might compel Jove itself to assume such tones. from Jerusalem (vers. 7, 10, 11, 12, 18; eh. xi He entree.ts them, however, not to foroe him 4). Thie man e.nd Iris abettors and other to stern mee.suree. Gentlene,ss. The word pe.rty opponents spoke of St. Paul e.s mean epieikeia means "fairness, forbearance, sym- in aspect (vere. 1, 10), untutored in speech pRthetic consideration for others," or, ae Mr. (oh. ii. 6), bold e.t a dist.e.n.oe a.nd cowardly Matthew Arnold prefers to render it, " sweet reasonableness" (see Acts xxiv. 4; .Phil. when present, e. man of mere human iv. 5; Je.e. iii. 17; 1 Pet. ii. 18). Who in motives (ver. 2), and not quite sound in presence, etc. Here, and in many· similar intellect (eh. xi. 16, 17, 19). They had passages of this section, he is evidently heen introducing new teaching (eh. xi. 4), adopting or quoting the actual taunts of and bed shown themselves boe.stful (ver. hie e.dveree.riee. In modern times the words would be enclosed in inverted commas. 7), insolent, rapacious, violent (eh. xi. 20, Be.se; rather, humble (see note on eh. vii. 21), intrusive (ver. 15), and genere.lly 6 ; xii. 7). Being absent am bold. The dangerons in their infiuence (eh. ri 3), charge, if true, would have been the mark which he.d sncoeeded in alienating from of a coward; and it naturally awakens RU St. Paul the minds of many (ver. 18; eh. indignant echo in the~ language of St. Paul. xi. 8, 20; xiL 13, 14). Such e.ccusations Ver. 2.-I beseech you. The "beseech" and snch oonduet now roused the deep ie here right (deomai). The "you" is not in indignation of St. Paul, and his Apologia the Greek, but jg rightly supplied. It rests with them to avert the necessity of personal 1,,.o f!ita swi is me.inly given in these severity, and he entreats them to do so chapters. (comp.eh.xiii. 2,10; 1 Cor.iv.21). Against Plunging at once into his subject, with e. some. He leaves these undefined till the solemn o.ppee.l, Le declares Lis apostolic vehement outburst of eh. :xi. 13, 14. As i1 power (vers. 1-8), o.ud that he will exercise we we.Jked iwoording to the flesh (see note it in pel'l!On e.e well e.e by letters, in a.newer on eh. v. 16). To say this of St. Paul was to the ta.nnt of hie opponents (vere. 9-11). to charge him with being insincere and not disinterested. He then 11hows the.t hie estimate of himself Ver. 3.-We we.Jk in the B.esh. St. Paul ie forme.d on very different methods from does not disclaim the possession of hum an those of hie adversaries (vere. 12-16), infirmities, but mainklins th11.t such triala ou. x. 1-18.J THE SECOND EPISTLE 'l'O THE CORINTHIANS. 239