As in Letters, So in Person 2 Corinthians 10:11

Some of the church members in Corinth spoke of Paul saying, “his letters,... are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible”, and in chapter ten and verse eleven of Second Corinthians, Paul shares with the church members “as we are in word by letters...such will we be also in deed” where we read:

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.

The verse begins, “Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent,” Paul began with the word, “let” which means “reckon, count, compute and calculate” “such an one think this” or “this kind or sort who takes into account and and imputes”, “that” which means “because and since”, “such as we are” or “the way and manner Paul and his companions were” “in word” which means “in their speech, uttering, proclaiming and declaring” “by letters” which refers to “through written correspondence and epistles” “when we are absent” which means “at the time Paul and his companions are away and departed”. Paul directed those who were opposed to he and his companions to know that they were the same in persons as proclaimed in their letters.

The verse continues, “such will we be also in deed when we are present.” Paul added the words, “such will we be also” which means “in the same way and manner would Paul and his companions would be” “in deed” or “in business, employment and that which one is occupied” “when” which means “at what time”, “we are present” or “Paul and his companions would be at hand, arrived and in store”. Paul and his companions would “conduct and behave” themselves according to the “words” which they shared when they were “absent” from the church members..

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see the importance of he and his companions conducting themselves in keeping with the “letters” he sent. In other words, their actions matched their “words”. Jesus Christ desires for His followers to behave themselves in a way that is consistent with their profession. It is easy for Christians to “say” or “write” godly behaviors, and it is quite another to act in accordance with them. Let us be challenged to let our “walk” with Jesus match our “talk” with Him, and if we need inspiration, may we remember these words of Paul to the Corinthian church.

Next time Paul tells the church members how people were, “comparing themselves among themselves”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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