7 The things in presence do ye see? if any one hath trusted in himself to be Christ's, this let him reckon again from himself, that according as he is Christ's, so also we 'are' Christ's; 8 for even if also anything more abundantly I shall boast concerning our authority, that the Lord gave us for building up, and not for casting you down, I shall not be ashamed; 9 that I may not seem as if I would terrify you through the letters, 10 'because the letters indeed—saith one—'are' weighty and strong, and the bodily presence weak, and the speech despicable.' 11 This one—let him reckon thus: that such as we are in word, through letters, being absent, such also, being present, 'we are' in deed.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 10:7-11
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 10:7-11
(Read 2 Corinthians 10:7-11)
In outward appearance, Paul was mean and despised in the eyes of some, but this was a false rule to judge by. We must not think that none outward appearance, as if the want of such things proved a man not to be a real Christian, or an able, faithful minister of the lowly Saviour.