αυτος 846 P-NSM δε 1161 CONJ εγω 1473 P-1NS παυλος 3972 N-NSM παρακαλω 3870 5719 V-PAI-1S υμας 5209 P-2AP δια 1223 PREP της 3588 T-GSF πραοτητος 4236 N-GSF και 2532 CONJ επιεικειας 1932 N-GSF του 3588 T-GSM χριστου 5547 N-GSM ος 3739 R-NSM κατα 2596 PREP προσωπον 4383 N-ASN μεν 3303 PRT ταπεινος 5011 A-NSM εν 1722 PREP υμιν 5213 P-2DP απων 548 5752 V-PXP-NSM δε 1161 CONJ θαρρω 2292 5719 V-PAI-1S-C εις 1519 PREP υμας 5209 P-2AP
Vincent's NT Word Studies
1. I Paul myself. "This emphatic stress on his own person is the fit introduction to the portion of the epistle which, beyond any other part of his writings, is to lay open his individual life and character" (Stanley). "Paul boldly casts into the scales of his readers the weight of his own personality over against his calumniators" (Meyer).Meekness - gentleness. See on Matt. v. 5; 1 Pet. ii. 18.
Base (tapeinov). Better, as Rev., lowly. The sneer of his opponents that he was unassuming in their presence, but bold when absent. "It was easy to satirize and misrepresent a depression of spirits, a humility of demeanor, which were either the direct results of some bodily affliction, or which the consciousness of this affliction had rendered habitual. We feel at once that this would be natural to the bowed and weak figure which Albrecht Durer has represented; but that it would be impossible to the imposing orator whom Raphael has placed on the steps of the Areopagus" (Farrar).
This is the only passage in the New Testament in which tapeinov lowly, bears the contemptuous sense which attaches to it in classical usage, an illustration of which may be found in Xenophon's story of Socrates' interview with the painter Parrhasius. "Surely meanness and servility (to tapeinon te kai aneleuqeron) show themselves in the looks (dia proswpou, the same word as Paul's) and gestures of men" ("Memorabilia," iii., 10, 5). So Aristotle says that frequently to submit to receive service from another, and to disparage whatever he himself has done well, are signs of littleness of soul (mikroyuciav) and meanness (tapeinothtov). In the Septuagint the words penhv poor, prauv meek, ptwcov destitute, and tapeinov lowly, are used interchangeably to translate the same Hebrew words; the reference ordinarily being to the oppressed, in contrast with their rich and powerful oppressors, or to the quiet, in contrast with lawless wrong-doers. Compare Deuteronomy xv. 11; 2 Sam. xxii. 28; Psalm xviii. (Sept. 17.) 27; Isa. xxvi. 6; Psalm x. 17 (Sept. ix. 38); Prov. xiv. 21; iii. 34; Num. xii. 3; Exod. xxiii. 6, 11; Isaiah xxxii. 7; Exod. xxiii. 3; Ruth iii. 10; Isa. xi. 4; 2 Sam. xii. 1, 3, 4; Proverbs xiii. 8; 1 Sam. xviii. 23. The Septuagint usage therefore goes to show that these four words are all names for one class - the poor peasantry of an oppressed country, the victims of ill-treatment and plunder at the hands of tyrants and rich neighbors. 153
Robertson's NT Word Studies
10:1 {Now I Paul myself} (autos de egw paulos). Cf. #Ga 5:2. Paul now turns to the third part of the epistle in chapters #10-13 in which he vigorously defends himself against the accusations of the stubborn minority of Judaizers in Corinth. Great ministers of Christ through the ages have had to pass through fiery trials like these. Paul has shown the way for us all. He speaks of himself now plainly, but under compulsion, as is clear. It may be that at this point he took the pen from the amanuensis and wrote himself as in #Ga 6:11. {By the meekness and gentleness of Christ} (dia tes prautetos kai epieikias tou cristou). this appeal shows (Plummer) that Paul had spoken to the Corinthians about the character of Christ. Jesus claimed meekness for himself (#Mt 11:29) and felicitated the meek (#Mt 5:5) and he exemplified it abundantly (#Lu 23:34). See on Mt 5:15; 1Co 4:21 for this great word that has worn thin with us. Plutarch combines prautes with epieikia as Paul does here. Matthew Arnold suggested "sweet reasonableness" for epieikeia in Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch. It is in the N.T. only here and #Ac 24:4 (to epieikes in #Php 4:5). In Greek Ethics the equitable man was called epieikes, a man who does not press for the last farthing of his rights (Bernard). {Lowly among you} (tapeinos en humin). The bad use of tapeinos, the old use, but here alone in N.T. in that meaning. Socrates and Aristotle used it for littleness of soul. Probably Paul here is quoting one of the sneers of his traducers in Corinth about his humble conduct while with them (#1Co 2:23; 2Co 7:6) and his boldness (apwn qarrw) when away (#1Co 7:16). "It was easy to satirize and misrepresent a depression of spirits, a humility of demeanour, which were either the direct results of some bodily affliction, or which the consciousness of this affliction had rendered habitual" (Farrar). The words stung Paul to the quick.
