2 Corinthians 10:5
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;
Study Note
Study Note
Paul's military metaphor — 'taking every thought captive to obey Christ' — employs the Greek 'aichmalōtizō' (to capture as a prisoner of war), placing intellectual and imaginative life within the domain of Christ's authority. The preceding verse's 'weapons of our warfare' that 'have divine power to destroy strongholds' (ochyrōmata) describes a spiritual conflict waged through apostolic proclamation, not physical force. The 'high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God' likely refers to the Corinthian philosophical boasting ('high-mindedness') that Paul opposes throughout 1–2 Corinthians, rather than exclusively to demonic powers. The verse has been extensively applied in contemplative and spiritual-formation traditions as a mandate for disciplining the thought life.
Other Translations
casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;
reasonings bringing down, and every high thing lifted up against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of the Christ,
Putting an end to reasonings, and every high thing which is lifted up against the knowledge of God, and causing every thought to come under the authority of Christ;
Cross References
The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall …
Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting …
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and …
And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the …
For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon …
The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord …
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see …
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the …