2 Corinthians 10:5
What does 2 Corinthians 10:5 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 10:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 10:5 means
Paul describes the spiritual battle’s aim: to bring down arguments and every proud thing that sets itself against the knowledge of God, making every thought captive to Christ’s obedience. The issue is not merely winning debates but submitting minds and wills to the Lord. Christ is the reference point and ruler of thought. In Corinth, persuasive speech had been prized; Paul insists that truth, not style, must reign. To take thoughts captive is to yield inner life to Christ’s lordship, evaluating ideas by His gospel and commands. Real transformation occurs when beliefs, imaginations, and plans are aligned with Him as the obedient, reigning Messiah.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000casting 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;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Casting 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;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901casting 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;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Putting 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;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862reasonings 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,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And every height that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God: and bringing into captivity every understanding unto the obedience of Christ:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890overthrowing reasonings and every high thing that lifts itself up against the knowledge ofGod, and leading captive every thought into the obedience of the Christ;
Context
After affirming the power of divine weapons (verse 4), Paul identifies the battlefield in verse 5—the realm of ideas and loyalties. This counters critics who measured worth by outward eloquence. It also prepares for verse 6, where Paul connects inner obedience to the church’s corporate discipline. The flow is deliberate: God’s power pulls down falsehoods, Christ claims the thoughts, and then the church, once brought to obedience, can rightly address remaining disobedience among them without confusion.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 10:4
The wicked, in the pride of his countenance, saith, He will not requireit. All his thoughts are, There is no God.
- Psalms 18:44
As soon as they hear of me they shall obey me; The foreigners shall submit themselves unto me.
- Isaiah 2:17
And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; and Jehovah alone shall be exalted in that day.
- Proverbs 15:26
Evil devices are an abomination to Jehovah; But pleasant wordsarepure.
- 1 Corinthians 1:27
but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;
- Deuteronomy 15:9
Beware that there be not a base thought in thy heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou give him nought; and he cry unto Jehovah against thee, and it be sin unto thee.
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