2 Corinthians 10:5

2 Corinthians 10:5

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

4 ^aFor the weapons ^bof our warfare are not carnal but ^cmighty in God ^dfor pulling down strongholds,

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

6 ^aand being ready to punish all disobedience when ^byour obedience is fulfilled.

Reality of Paul’s Authority

7 ^aDo you look at things according to the outward appearance? ^bIf anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even¹ so ^cwe are Christ’s.

8 For even if I should boast somewhat more ^aabout our authority, which the Lord gave¹ us for edification and not for your destruction, ^bI shall not be ashamed—

9 lest I seem to terrify you by letters.

10 “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but ^ahis bodily presence is weak, and his ^bspeech contemptible.”

11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present.

Limits of Paul’s Authority

12 ^aFor we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

13 ^aWe, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you.

14 For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), ^afor it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ;

Commentaries:

Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)

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Casting down imaginations (logismouv kaqairountev). The same military figure (kaqairesiv) and the present active participle agreeing with strateuomeqa in verse II Corinthians 10:3 (verse II Corinthians 10:4 a parenthesis). The reasonings or imaginations (logismouv, old word from logizomai, to reckon, only here in N.T. and Romans 2:15) are treated as forts or citadels to be conquered.

Every high thing that is exalted (pan uywma epairomenon). Same metaphor. uywma from uyow is late Koin‚ word (in LXX, Plutarch, Philo, papyri) for height and that figure carried on by epairomenon. Paul aims to pull down the top-most perch of audacity in their reasonings against the knowledge of God. We need Paul's skill and courage today.

Bringing every thought into captivity (aixmalwtizontev pan nohma). Present active participle of aixmalwtizw, common Koin‚ verb from aixmalwtov, captive in war (aixmh, spear, alwtov verbal of aliskomai, to be taken). See on Luke 21:24. Paul is the most daring of thinkers, but he lays all his thoughts at the feet of Jesus. For nohma (device) see on II Corinthians 2:11.

To the obedience of Christ (eiv thn upakohn tou Xristou). Objective genitive, "to the obedience unto Christ." That is Paul's conception of intellectual liberty, freedom in Christ. Deissmann (St. Paul, p. 141) calls this "the mystic genitive."

**Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing 2 Corinthians 10:5:**

Romans 7:23
2 Timothy 3:6
Philemon 1:23

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