What Does 2 Corinthians 10:1 Mean in the King James?
Now 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:
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Meekness and boldness are not competing natures here: one appeal carries both.
THE MEANING
Christ’s meekness and considerate gentleness shape an appeal that still carries confidence. The speaker is lowly in your presence and bold from a distance; the verse holds these different bearings inside one appeal reaching you now.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It dissolves the belief that a gentle appeal must be powerless, or that confident speech must abandon gentleness.
THE ROOT
πραΰτητος
prautētos
GROWS FROM
πραΰς
praus
Meek, mild, gentle in disposition.
“meekness” in this verse is prautētos. The word names a quality associated with Christ, not an absence of force. Paul grounds his appeal in that quality while also speaking of boldness, holding gentleness and confidence together.
ALSO GROWS
praus: Meek, gentle.
πραΰς
This adjective names the quality expressed by the noun translated “meekness.”
prautēs: Meekness, gentleness.
πραΰτης
This noun form is the quality Paul invokes as the character of Christ.
ταπεινὸς
tapeinos
GROWS FROM
ταπειν-
tapein-
Low, humble, or of low status.
The word translated “base” belongs to the same word family as “lowly” in Jesus’ description of himself. Paul’s lowly presence and his boldness at a distance are different bearings; the verse does not present them as different sources of character.
ALSO GROWS
tapeinos: Lowly, humble.
ταπεινός
This is the adjective used for Paul’s bearing in the verse and for Jesus’ lowliness in Matthew 11:29.
tapeinoō: To humble or lower.
ταπεινόω
This verb shows the family’s connection to being brought low.
ἐπιεικείας
epieikeias
GROWS FROM
ἐπιεικής
epieikēs
Equitable, considerate, fitting in how one treats another.
The word translated “gentleness” carries the shade of fair-minded consideration. Beside meekness, it gives the appeal a quality of restraint and regard for the person receiving it.
ALSO GROWS
epieikēs: Gentle, equitable, considerate.
ἐπιεικής
This related adjective expresses the quality named by the noun in the verse.
epieikeia: Gentleness, fairness, consideration.
ἐπιείκεια
This noun names the considerate quality through which the appeal is made.
THE PATTERN
A gentle manner can carry a clear answer or appeal without losing its confidence.
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:THE THREAD
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.Jesus describes himself with the same word family behind Paul’s “meekness,” and with the word translated “lowly,” related to Paul’s “base.” The qualities Paul invokes and the bearing he describes echo Jesus’ own words about his heart.
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