Now I Paul] If this is not the beginning of the 'severe' letter, it is evidently the beginning of a new subject. Possibly one leaf of the MS containing this letter was lost at an early date; and this loss led to the remaining portion being attached in course of time to the longer Epistle consisting of 2 Corinthians 1-9. By the meekness and gentleness of Christ] cp. Philippians 2:1. He invokes Christ's meekness to indicate the spirit in which he wishes to deal with his opponents.
In presence am base, etc.] This was their story, by which they sought to prejudice him in the eyes of the Church.