2 Corinthians 10:5

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

4 The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, as soon as your obedience is complete.

7 You are looking at outward appearances. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should remind himself that we belong to Christ just as much as he does.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
KJV
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;
WEB
throwing 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,
ASV
casting 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;
DARBY
overthrowing reasonings and every high thing that lifts itself up against the knowledge of God, and leading captive every thought into the obedience of the Christ;
BLB
tearing down arguments and every high thing lifting itself up against the knowledge of God, and taking captive every thought into the obedience of Christ,
ÅB
idet vi omstyrter tankebygninger og enhver høyde som reiser seg mot kunnskapen om Gud, og tar enhver tanke til fange under lydigheten mot Kristus,
OTB
Vi demonterer argumenter og enhver pretensjon som motsetter seg kunnskapen om Gud, og vi tar enhver tanke til fange for å gjøre den lydig mot Kristus,
B1930
idet vi omstyrter tankebygninger og enhver høide som reiser sig mot kunnskapen om Gud, og tar enhver tanke til fange under lydigheten mot Kristus,

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

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.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 55:7

    Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

    Read in context
  • 1 Peter 1:14–15

    As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance.

    Read in context
  • 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.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 15:19

    For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.

    Read in context
  • 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.

    Read in context
  • 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?

    Read in context
  • 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.”

    Read in context