Knowing The Word in 2 Corinthians 10:4-6, Every Thought Captive

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

The rhetoric his opponents have used against him sets itself up as knowledge of God, so Paul must fight to reclaim his converts. He must recapture all their minds or thoughts for Christ with truth. Paul says he is ready to punish the offenders, but who exactly are they—the false apostles or, more likely, those among the Corinthians who have been swayed by them? We don’t know who they are, but their influence must be addressed.

Enlighten our understandings with knowledge of right, and govern our wills by thy laws, that no deceit may mislead us, no temptation corrupt us; that we may always endeavor to do good and hinder evil. Amidst all the hopes and fears of this world, take not thy Holy Spirit from us; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Samuel Johnson, 1709-1784