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;”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Context
Defending his ministry, Paul describes the spiritual warfare he wages -- not with worldly weapons but with divine power that demolishes arguments raised against the knowledge of God.
What Does 2 Corinthians 10:5 Mean?
The Christian's true battle is fought in the mind, and its aim is bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Paul has just said the weapons of this warfare are not carnal but mighty through God. Now he names the targets: imaginations and "every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God." These are the reasonings, arguments, and proud notions that set themselves up in opposition to what God has revealed. They are to be cast down -- demolished like a fortress under siege.
The military imagery is striking. "Casting down" pictures the toppling of strongholds; "bringing into captivity" pictures prisoners of war led away in chains. Paul's point is that the decisive struggle is not with external enemies but with thoughts -- false ideas, prideful arguments, and inner rebellions that resist the knowledge of God. The goal is not merely to suppress wrong thinking but to bring "every thought" under the lordship of Christ, made obedient to Him. This is comprehensive: no thought is exempt. For the believer, the verse describes the daily discipline of guarding and reshaping the mind -- noticing the proud or false reasoning that rises up, and deliberately submitting it to Christ. The power for this comes from God, but the responsibility to wage the battle is ours. A mind captive to Christ is the front line of a transformed life.
In the Original Language
The word logismos (λογισμός) means reasoning or argument, and aichmalotizo (αἰχμαλωτίζω) means to take captive, as a prisoner of war led under Christ's obedience.
Cross References
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
- Romans 12:2
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
- Philippians 4:8
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
- Colossians 2:8
Application
Guard the front line of your mind: notice the proud or false reasoning that rises against God and deliberately bring each thought under the obedience of Christ.