Some in Corinth were judging Paul by how he looked and spoke. They said his letters were "weighty and powerful," but in person "his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible" (2 Corinthians 10:10). Paul's question exposes that standard. Barnes says the false teachers valued themselves on outward advantages such as appearance, rank, manners, or eloquence, and Paul reproves the church for judging that way. Barnes adds, "Such things were highly valued among the Greeks." Gill says some despised Paul for the meanness of his person and his poverty while admiring the eloquence and haughty airs of the false apostles.

Paul follows his question with a simple test: "If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's." He adds that the Lord gave him authority "for edification, and not for your destruction" (2 Corinthians 10:8), and that he will be the same in person as in his letters (2 Corinthians 10:11). He ends the chapter by naming the only commendation that counts: "not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth" (2 Corinthians 10:18).

Gill notes that Paul's words can be read in more than one way: as a question, as an ironic command ("look upon things"), or as a statement ("ye do look on things"). The KJV takes it as a question; the ESV takes it as a command, "Look at what is before your eyes." Either way, Paul is rebuking judgment by outward appearance. Barnes says the teachers Paul opposed were probably Jews who boasted of their talents and eloquence, and Paul later answers their boasts directly (2 Corinthians 11:22-23).

This question exposes a way of seeing that God does not share. The Corinthians were measuring a servant of Christ by polish and presence. Matthew Henry says that Paul's plain appearance was used against him, "but this was a false rule to judge by." Paul had told them earlier that he came to them "in weakness" and without "enticing words of man's wisdom" (1 Corinthians 2:3-4), so that their faith would rest on God's power.

Notice how Paul handles his rivals. Gill points to "the great modesty of the apostle": he does not try to prove they are not Christ's, but asks only that they grant the same of him. Matthew Henry adds, "There is room in Christ for many; and those who differ much from one another may yet be one in him." Paul's final standard is not appearance at all but the Lord's approval (2 Corinthians 10:18).