(1) 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: (2) But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
It should seem, by what the Apostle here saith, in the opening of this Chapter, and by several circumstances, in what follows in the body of it, that some had spoken slightingly, both of his person, and ministry; and had endeavored to lessen the reputation of his doctrine, and to render him contemptible. It is truly worthy the Reader's observation, that though Paul felt the unkindness of it as a man, he wished to pass it by, as a Christian, and a minister. Yea, he endeavored to turn it to some advantage, in passing away from the consideration of himself, to the cause of his Master. And, in a most interesting, and affectionate manner, he entreats them, on the best of all possible motives, the meekness, and gentleness of Christ, that they would attend to those grand, and most momentous truths, he had been bringing before them. Reader! pause over the unanswerable argument: the meekness and gentleness of Christ. Contemplate the Person, grace, loveliness, of the Redeemer! When he was upon earth, he fulfilled the prediction God the Father had given of him, in the most minute point: so that had any one taken Isaiah's prophecy in his hand, and read that part, which referred to the Lord Jesus, as the Redeemer passed by; his mind would have been instantly struck, with the Prophet's picture, compared to the original. I shall not strive, nor cry, nor cause his voice to be heard in the Streets: the bruised reed he shall not break, nor quench the smoking flax. Compare Isaiah 42:2-3 with Matthew 12:19-20. And, as these were the great features of his character, when in our nature the Son of God appeared on earth: so the Holy Ghost, in glorifying Christ, manifests in every heart of the redeemed, that the fruits of the Spirit, is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, Galatians 5:22. It is very blessed to he enabled by the Spirit, to behold Christ, and by his sweet influences, to have the Spirit of Christ in our hearts, Romans 8:9.