2 Corinthians 10:11

Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(11) Such will we be also.—As a verb of some kind must be supplied, it would be better to give the present: Such are we. It is not so much a threat of what will happen in a particular instance as a statement of the general consistent character of his life.

Benson Commentary

2 Corinthians 10:11-12. Let such a one, whoever he be, think this — Reckon upon this as a certain fact; that such as we are in word by letters — However weighty and powerful they may be; when we are absent, such — The same also; will we be in deed, or action, when we are present — Our deeds will fully correspond to our words, and we shall do something to vindicate these pretences, if their speedy repentance do not prevent it. For we dare not, &c. — As if he had said, I, whose appearance and speech are so contemptible, cannot presume to make myself of the number, or to equal myself, as a partner of the same office, or to compare myself with some that commend themselves — As a partaker of the same labour! A strong irony. But they, measuring themselves by themselves — That is, by their own opinion of themselves, and making it the only standard whereby to judge of themselves; are not wise — Do not understand themselves, nor see their own inferiority to the apostles, evangelists, and many other extraordinary or even ordinary ministers of Christ. The meaning is, that the false teachers, in their conversations among themselves, measured or estimated themselves not according to their real worth, but according to the opinion which they had formed of themselves. They looked continually on themselves, surveying their own great imaginary qualifications, but not considering the vastly superior abilities of many others; and so formed a disproportionate opinion of themselves. And this is everywhere one of the greatest sources of pride.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

10:7-11 In outward appearance, Paul was mean and despised in the eyes of some, but this was a false rule to judge by. We must not think that none outward appearance, as if the want of such things proved a man not to be a real Christian, or an able, faithful minister of the lowly Saviour.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Let such an one think this ... - Let them not flatter themselves that there will be any discrepancy between my words and my deeds. Let them feel that all which has been threatened will be certainly executed unless there is repentance. Paul here designedly contradicts the charge which was made against him; and means to say that all that he had threatened in his letters would he certainly executed unless there was a reform. I think that the evidence here is clear that Paul does not intend to admit what they said about his bodily presence to be true; and most probably all that has been recorded about his deformity is mere fable.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

11. think this—"consider this."

such will we be—or "are," in general, not merely shall we be at our next visit.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

I would have no such person think so of me, for he shall find me the same in deed when I come, that I have spoken myself to be by my letters. I do not write vainy, merely to terrify you, but what I truly intend to do, and when I come he shall find that I will do.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Let such an one think this,.... The apostle seems to have in view some one particular person, though he does not choose to name him, who had more especially reproached him after this manner; and who was either one of the members of this church, or rather one of the false apostles: and so in the foregoing verse, instead of "say they", in which way both the Syriac and Vulgate Latin read, and is followed in our version, it is in the original text "says he", or "he says"; and so a certain particular person seems designed in 2 Corinthians 11:4 whom the apostle would have to know and conclude with himself, and of which he might fully assure himself, that such as we are in word by letters, when we are absent, such will be also in deed, when we are present: he threatens the calumniator, that he should find him, to his sorrow, the same man present as absent; that what he sent by letters, should be found to be fact, when he came again; whose coming would not be with all that tenderness and gentleness, as when he first preached the Gospel to them, for which there was then a reason; since he and others had swerved from the truths of the Gospel, and the right ways of God, which would require the severity he threatened them with, and the execution of which might be depended upon.

Geneva Study Bible

Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Meyer's NT Commentary

2 Corinthians 10:11. After 2 Corinthians 10:10 a full stop is to be put (see on 2 Corinthians 10:9), so that now, without any connecting particle, but with the more striking force, there follows what is suggested for the consideration of the person judging in such wis.

τοιοῦτοι καὶ παρόντες τῷ ἔργῳ] sc. ἐσμέν. Such a double part we do not play.

Expositor's Greek Testament

2 Corinthians 10:11. τοῦτο λογιζέσθω κ.τ.λ.: let such an one, sc., as makes comments of the kind just quoted, reckon this, that (cf. constr. 2 Corinthians 10:7) what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

11. such a one] i.e. the man who speaks in this way. See note on ch. 2 Corinthians 2:7.

that, such as we are in word by letters] It is evident that St Paul’s opponents were not very measured in their opposition to him. Not only did they deny his Apostolic authority (1 Corinthians 9:1; 1 Corinthians 9:6), not only did they ridicule his appearance, but they even charged him with the grossest cowardice. For nothing is more contemptible than to utter loud threats when at a distance, and to subside into silence and meekness when confronted with an adversary. See note on. 2 Corinthians 10:1.

Bengel's Gnomen

2 Corinthians 10:11. Τῷ λόγῳ, in word) In antithesis to τῷ ἔργῳ, in deed.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 11. - Such a one. A formula used to avoid mentioning a special name (see note on 2 Corinthians 2:7). Such will we be; rather, such are we. The verb is not expressed, but it would have been if the future tense had been intended. In this verse St. Paul is not saying what he would do hereafter, but is rebutting with calmness and dignity the false charge that he was in any way different when absent from what he was when present. 2 Corinthians 10:11