Yes—critics belittled Paul because his speech and bodily presence failed to impress them.
In 2 Corinthians 10:10, Paul's critics admitted his letters were weighty but said his bodily presence was weak and his speech contemptible. At Athens, philosophers called him a 'babbler' (Acts 17:18). Les Feldick explains that Paul was not a polished orator and likely did not use perfect Greek grammar, and his appearance was not especially striking.
2 Corinthians 10:10 — This verse directly records what critics said about Paul's bodily presence and speaking style.
1 Corinthians 2:4 — Paul himself explains that his preaching did not rely on human eloquence or enticing words.
Acts 17:18 — This passage shows Athenian philosophers mocking Paul as a 'babbler.'
The New Testament records that Paul's opponents made pointed comments about his personal presence and speaking style. In 2 Corinthians 10:10 they said, "For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible." Paul also described his own approach in 1 Corinthians 2:4: "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." When Paul addressed the philosophers in Athens, some of them asked, "What will this babbler say?" (Acts 17:18).
Les Feldick explains the criticism of Paul's speech and appearance by looking at what Paul himself acknowledged. He notes Paul said his speech and preaching were not with enticing words of man's wisdom, and that Paul was not a polished orator like Apollos or the Greek philosophers. In fact, Les says Paul may not have used perfect Greek grammar, and his opponents considered his speech 'contemptible.' Les also observes that Paul's visage was not impressive — he was 'not a great handsome orator.' According to Les, Paul was a very commonplace man who shook in his boots, not someone who impressed people with natural skill or presence. Yet God used him; the Spirit of God did the work. Les also points out that when the Athenians called Paul a 'babbler,' it was actually the philosophers who had nothing but babble, while Paul had the words of life. Throughout his ministry, Paul had to defend his apostleship against constant false accusation.
Critics said his letters were weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence was weak and his speech contemptible (2 Corinthians 10:10). In Athens, the philosophers called him a babbler (Acts 17:18). Les Feldick says Paul was constantly falsely accused and had to defend his apostleship, which explains the repeated attacks on his speech and presence.
Les Feldick says Paul was not a polished orator like Apollos or the Greek philosophers. He may not have used the most perfect Greek grammar. Paul's preaching was in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, not with enticing words of man's wisdom.
Les Feldick says Paul's visage wasn't all that great and he was not a great handsome orator. Paul was very commonplace and even shook in his boots at times. But God uses what the world scoffs at. At Mars Hill, the philosophers called Paul a babbler, yet Paul was the one with the words of life and wisdom.
The Weapons of Our Warfare — 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 Explained
that as he is Christ, even so are we Christ." And then he's going to go on to say that we have to be able to examine our own faith, to be sure that you're certain of your eternal destiny, and never take it carelessly. Verse 8, "...for though I should boast somewhat of our authority, which the Lord hath given us," He didn't get it by working for it.
Paul's Speech Called Contemptible
Les explains that Paul's speech was called contemptible and that Paul was not a polished orator; he may not have used perfect Greek grammar, but the Spirit of God did the work.
Paul's Critics on His Presence and Writing
Les observes that Paul's critics said his speech was contemptible, his visage was not great, and he was not a handsome orator — yet his written letters carried weight as the Word of God.
Called a Babbler at Mars Hill
Les shows that the Athenian philosophers called Paul a 'babbler' even though he had seen multitudes saved and was filled with the Spirit.
Paul Had the Words of Life
Les uses the Mars Hill incident to show that Paul, not the philosophers, was the one with the words of life and wisdom.
Paul Was Commonplace and Fearful
Les says Paul was commonplace and fearful at times, and his speech was not with enticing words; God uses people the world scoffs at.
Why Paul's Letters Are the Most Neglected in the Bible
You know, I can't get that out of my craw. I could never, ever stand in front of people and give them a bunch of warm soup and just give them something that's going to tickle their ears because I'm afraid of the consequences. Because that's what people are doing. They're afraid to give the people the truth. They're afraid they're going to lose that big giver.
Paul Falsely Accused
Les reminds us Paul was constantly falsely accused and had to defend his apostleship, which explains the ongoing criticism of his speech and presence.
2 Corinthians 10:10: For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
This verse records exactly what critics said about Paul's physical presence and speaking style.
1 Corinthians 2:4: And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.
Paul explains that he did not depend on polished human eloquence when he preached.
Acts 17:18: Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
Athens philosophers dismissed Paul as a babbler when he preached Jesus and the resurrection.
Les Feldick explains that Paul was not a polished orator like Apollos or the Greek philosophers, and he may not have used the most perfect Greek grammar. His preaching relied on the demonstration of the Spirit and of power, not on enticing words of man's wisdom.
They called him a babbler. Les Feldick notes that it was really Paul who spoke words of life and wisdom, while the philosophers had nothing but babble.
Les Feldick says Paul's visage wasn't all that great and he was not a great handsome orator. Critics said his bodily presence was weak.
No. According to Scripture, they said his letters were weighty and powerful, even while they dismissed his bodily presence and speech as contemptible.
Watch the Teaching: The Weapons of Our Warfare — 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 Explained