2 Corinthians 10:10

for they say, “His letters are weighty and forceful and impressive, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible [of no account].”

1 Corinthians 1:17

For Christ did not send me [as an apostle] to baptize, but [commissioned and empowered me] to preach the good news [of salvation]—not with clever and eloquent speech [as an orator], so that the cross of Christ would not be made ineffective [deprived of its saving power].

2 Corinthians 11:6

But even if I am unskilled in speaking, yet I am not [untrained] in knowledge [I know what I am talking about]; but we have made this evident to you in every way, in all things.

Galatians 4:13-14

On the contrary, you know that it was because of a physical illness that I [remained and] preached the gospel to you the first time;

Exodus 4:10

Then Moses said to the Lord, “Please, Lord, I am not a man of words (eloquent, fluent), neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and tongue.”

Jeremiah 1:6


Then I said, “Ah, Lord God!
Behold, I do not know how to speak,
For I am [only] a young man.”

1 Corinthians 1:21

For since the world through all its [earthly] wisdom failed to recognize God, God in His wisdom was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached [regarding salvation] to save those who believe [in Christ and welcome Him as Savior].

1 Corinthians 2:1-4

And when I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming to you the testimony of God [concerning salvation through Christ], I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom [no lofty words of eloquence or of philosophy as a Greek orator might do];

2 Corinthians 10:1

Now I, Paul, urge you by the gentleness and graciousness of Christ—I who am meek [so they say] when with you face to face, but bold [outspoken and fearless] toward you when absent!

2 Corinthians 12:5-9

On behalf of such a man [and his experiences] I will boast; but in my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

Bible References

Say they

2 Corinthians 10:11
Let such people realize that what we say by word in letters when we are absent, is the same as what we are in action when present.

But

2 Corinthians 10:1
Now I, Paul, urge you by the gentleness and graciousness of Christ—I who am meek [so they say] when with you face to face, but bold [outspoken and fearless] toward you when absent!
2 Corinthians 12:5
On behalf of such a man [and his experiences] I will boast; but in my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses.
1 Corinthians 2:3
I came to you in [a state of] weakness and fear and great trembling.
Galatians 4:13
On the contrary, you know that it was because of a physical illness that I [remained and] preached the gospel to you the first time;

And his

2 Corinthians 11:6
But even if I am unskilled in speaking, yet I am not [untrained] in knowledge [I know what I am talking about]; but we have made this evident to you in every way, in all things.
Exodus 4:10
Then Moses said to the Lord, “Please, Lord, I am not a man of words (eloquent, fluent), neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and tongue.”
Jeremiah 1:6

Then I said, “Ah, Lord God!
Behold, I do not know how to speak,
For I am [only] a young man.”
1 Corinthians 1:17
For Christ did not send me [as an apostle] to baptize, but [commissioned and empowered me] to preach the good news [of salvation]—not with clever and eloquent speech [as an orator], so that the cross of Christ would not be made ineffective [deprived of its saving power].
1 Corinthians 2:1
And when I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming to you the testimony of God [concerning salvation through Christ], I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom [no lofty words of eloquence or of philosophy as a Greek orator might do];

General references

1 Corinthians 1:27
But God has selected [for His purpose] the foolish things of the world to shame the wise [revealing their ignorance], and God has selected [for His purpose] the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong [revealing their frailty].
1 Corinthians 2:3
I came to you in [a state of] weakness and fear and great trembling.