2 Corinthians 10 5

2 Corinthians 10:5 kjv

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

2 Corinthians 10:5 nkjv

casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

2 Corinthians 10:5 niv

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5 esv

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

2 Corinthians 10:5 nlt

We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

2 Corinthians 10 verses

2 Corinthians 10 5 Meaning

This verse calls believers to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. It signifies a conscious effort to align our thinking with God's will, Christ's teachings, and His ultimate authority, dismantling any thoughts or imaginations that oppose or distract from this obedience. It's about transforming our internal landscape to reflect our outward commitment to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10 5 Context

Second Corinthians chapter 10 addresses the accusations and criticisms leveled against Paul by opposing Judaizing teachers within the Corinthian church. These false apostles questioned Paul's authority and ministry, using worldly standards to judge him. In this chapter, Paul defends his apostolic credentials, not by boasting in worldly power or eloquence, but by asserting the spiritual might of God’s weapons in tearing down opposition. This specific verse, 2 Corinthians 10:5, highlights the internal aspect of this spiritual warfare. The believer's battle isn't just external; it is critically waged within their own minds, which must be brought under submission to Christ’s commands and authority, dismantling opposing arguments and arrogant thoughts that elevate themselves against God's truth.

2 Corinthians 10 5 Word analysis

• ὑψώματι (hypsōmati): From the verb "hypsōō," meaning to lift up, exalt, elevate. Here it refers to high thoughts, imaginations, or reasoning that are arrogant or defiant against God. It speaks of mental pride and conceits.
• αἰχμαλωτίζοντες (aichmalōtizontes): From "aichmalōtizō," meaning to lead captive, to take prisoner. It implies a decisive and complete capture, like an enemy army being taken captive and brought into submission.
• πᾶν (pan): Every, all. This is an all-encompassing word, indicating that no thought is exempt.
• νόημα (noēma): Thought, mind, understanding, intellect. Refers to the operations of the mind, including its conceptions, purposes, and imaginations.
• εἰς (eis): Into, to, towards. Indicates the direction or goal of the captivity – into obedience.
• ὑπακοήν (hypakoēn): Obedience, the act of listening attentively. Specifically, it refers to obedience to Christ. This is not forced submission but a willing surrender of the mind.
• Χριστοῦ (Christou): Of Christ. The source and ultimate object of this obedience.

Word Groups:

• "raising of thought" (ὑψῶματι): This phrase describes proud, defiant, or presumptuous reasoning, intellectual arguments, or imaginings that exalt themselves and stand in opposition to the truth of God.
• "leading captive every thought" (αἰχμαλωτίζοντες πᾶν νόημα): This powerful imagery suggests that the mind is a battlefield. Believers are called to actively subdue, capture, and bring every thought, no matter how deeply ingrained or seemingly legitimate, into absolute subjection to Christ’s will and teachings. It's a hostile takeover of our inner world for Christ.
• "into obedience of Christ" (εἰς ὑπακοήν Χριστοῦ): This is the purpose and destination of capturing these thoughts. The aim is not merely to neutralize negative thoughts but to redirect them and align our entire thought process with the obedient life and authoritative commands of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 10 5 Bonus section

The imagery of taking thoughts captive relates to the ancient practice of war where captured soldiers were marched as trophies, demonstrating the conqueror's victory and power. Paul uses this analogy to illustrate the potent, spiritual nature of the "weapons" God has provided. These are not physical or worldly strategies, but divine tools that disarm enemy thinking. The "high things" (high thoughts, imaginations, presumptions) are likened to strongholds of the enemy, fortifications that must be demolished by bringing them into obedience to Christ. This highlights that much of the spiritual battle is fought and won or lost in the arena of our minds.

2 Corinthians 10 5 Commentary

This verse provides a powerful mandate for Christian mindfulness and spiritual discipline. It’s a call to engage in a vigorous mental battle against ungodly reasoning, prideful self-exaltation in thought, and anything that would alienate us from Christ’s will. Our thoughts are to be taken as prisoners of war, forcibly subdued and brought under the command structure of Christ's obedience. This involves critically evaluating our thoughts, discerning which ones are aligned with God’s Word and character and which are not, and actively rejecting or repurposing the latter. The ultimate goal is a mind thoroughly surrendered to Christ, capable of discerning His will and living it out. It emphasizes that spiritual transformation begins internally with the renewing of our minds, impacting our behavior and perception of the world.

• Practical application: When an anxious or fearful thought arises, capture it. Ask, "Is this thought aligned with Christ’s peace and promises?" If not, present it to Him and choose to believe His truth instead.
• Challenging pride: If you find yourself intellectually arrogant or boastful in your thinking, recognize it as a high thought. Capturing it means acknowledging it as sinful and surrendering that intellectual pride to Christ's humility.