Weighty Letters and Contemptible Speech 2 Corinthians 10:10

Paul the apostle did not want himself to, “seem as if” he “would terrify” the church members in Corinth “by letters”, and in chapter ten and verse ten of Second Corinthians, Paul pleads with the church members “letters...are weighty and powerful” and his “speech contemptible” where we read:

For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful;

but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

The verse begins, “For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful;” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “his letters” or “Paul's epistles truly and certainly”, “say they” which means “utter, declare and proclaim those who were opposed to Paul and his companions”, “are weighty” or “heavy in weight, severe, burdensome and stern” “and powerful” which means “strong, forcible, firm and sure”. Paul recalled the “strong and powerful” appraisal of his letters by those who were opposed to he and his companions.

The verse goes on to say, “but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.” Paul added the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “his bodily presence” or “Paul's coming and advent of his physical body ” “is weak” which means “was infirm and feeble”, “and his speech” or “and Paul's uttering, declaring and proclaiming” “contemptible” which means “of no account and despised utterly”. Paul referred to the way those against him attacked his physical strength and ability and his despicable speaking.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see how those against he and his companions attacked his physical presence and declarations. They were opposed to him, and wanted to destroy his credibility any way he could. Jesus Christ was familiar with this type of behavior, and those who align themselves with Him shall not be immune to onslaughts of this sort. Though the written words of Paul were “mighty and powerful”, they were refuted by his opposition because of his physical appearance and the way he spoke. Jesus Christ desires to have everyone know Him as “Savior and Lord”, and when they do, regardless of the way they look or sound, he desires to use them greatly in His kingdom.

Next time we see Paul tells the church members how people say his, “such as we are in word by letters when we are absent”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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