Bible Strands
2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthians, defending his apostolic authority against rival teachers who have gained influence among them. He frames his ministry as an ongoing campaign on their behalf.
The words — hupsōma (ὑψωμα), "a high thing," is a rare noun (NT hapax) that pictures something raised up on its own initiative, paired with epairomenon (ἐπαιρὸμενον), a present participle of "to lift itself up," marking the action as continuous and self-driven.
The thread — Hebrews 4:12 describes God's word piercing to the division of thoughts and intentions; Isaiah 55:7 calls the unrighteous to forsake their thoughts; 1 Peter 1:14 commands not to conform to former passions of the mind.
Why it lands — The verse does not invite the reader to examine their thinking and then decide; it asserts that the thinking has already been taken captive and is now in a state of obedience to Christ.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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;
Cross-references
- Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
- Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.
- 1 Peter 1:14 As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance.
- Romans 7:23 But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me.
- Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.
- Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.
- Jeremiah 4:14 Wash the evil from your heart, O Jerusalem, so that you may be saved. How long will you harbor wicked thoughts within you?
- 1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”
- Psalms 139:2 You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar.
- Isaiah 2:11 The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.