2 Corinthians 10:3-6 Edited

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 Edited

2 Corinthians 10:3

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.

a. Amplified Bible Classic: For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

1. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.”

1). Under the New Covenant we war in the spirit. Our enemy is spiritual.

a). Ephesians 6:11-18 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

2 Corinthians 10:4

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;)

a. Amplified Bible Classic: For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

   1.  “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;)”

a. warfare [Strong: 4752 4752. strateia strat-i'-ah from 4754; military service, i.e. (figuratively) the apostolic career (as one of hardship and danger):--warfare. ]

1). The weapons that we use are empowered through God. Our minds can be used as weapons for God if they are in obedience to Him. We in obedience to Christ are to arm ourselves with the same mind Christ Jesus had.

a). 1 Peter 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin.

(1) arm [Strong: 3695 hoplízō, hop-lid'-zo; from G3696; to equip (with weapons (middle voice and figuratively)):—arm self.] [Zodhiates: To furnish, prepare…to equip with arms, to arm oneself, to take up arms.] [Thayer: to furnish oneself with arms.]

b). Romans 6:1-18 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

6:10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

2). It is the will of God that we use our minds to be weapons of righteousness, to grow spiritually using our minds to meditate the word of God and refusing to hold unforgiveness, grudges and other offenses. Meditating and obeying the word of God are weapons of our military service.

a). 1 Peter 1:13  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

b). Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

a). Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make they way prosperous and thou shall have good success.

b. [the] pulling down [Strong: 2506 kathairesis kath-ah'-ee-res-is; from 2507; demolition; figuratively, extinction:--destruction, pulling down.] [Zodhiates: Demolition, destruction of a fortress.]

c. strongholds [Strong: 3794. ochuroma okh-oo'-ro-mah from a remote derivative of 2192 (meaning to fortify, through the idea of holding safely); a castle (figuratively, argument):--stronghold.] [Zodhiates: A stronghold, fortification, fortress.] [Thayer: a castle, stronghold, fortress, fastness, anything on which one relies, of the arguments and reasonings by which a disputant endeavours to fortify his opinion and defend it against his opponent.]

1). 1 Corinthians 1:18, 19  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

2). Perry Stone: Satan’s strongholds are designed to keep the Gospel out and to keep people bound in their sins. These strongholds are satanic lies that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God. Satan uses the human imagination to create images in the mind, that unless removed, a major stronghold, wall and mental barrier will be built, preventing the light of the Word from melting the darkness of the lie… 

a). 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 

b). Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men, and not after Christ.

c). Colossians 2:8 [Amplified Bible] See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit (idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men’s ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding [the teachings of] Christ (the Messiah).

d). Evolution, atheism, communism, the LBGTQ philosophies. In our day an age, people are being taken captive by everything. Unforgiveness, grudges, Alcohol, drugs, pornography, the list is endless.     

3). The only way to overcome these strongholds, these thought process’s these opinions is as the Scripture says, is to demolish them, destroy them and pull them down through the grace and power of God, and to replace them with what the Scripture says.

4). A vital component to achieving the “sound mind” that we are given in Christ is obedience to the Scriptures. Obedience is absolutely necessary for without obedience to the known will of God only deception awaits us.

a). James 1:21-24 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

b). Ephesians 4:21-24 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

2 Corinthians 10:5

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exhalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

a. 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; [Thomas Nelson & Sons first published the American Standard Version in 1901. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.]

1. “Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God…”

a. Casting down [Strong: 2507 kathaireo kath-ahee-reh'-o from 2596 and 138 (including its alternate); to lower (or with violence) demolish (literally or figuratively):--cast (pull, put, take) down, destroy.] [Zodhiates: to take down or away, pull down, demolish, destroy.]

b. imaginations [Strong: 3053 logismos log-is-mos' from 3049; computation, i.e. (figuratively) reasoning (conscience, conceit):--imagination, thought.] [Zodhiates: a reckoning, a calculation.]

c. [every] high thing [Strong: 5313 hupsōma, hoop'-so-mah; from G5312; an elevated place or thing, i.e. (abstractly) altitude, or (by implication) a barrier (figuratively):—height, high thing. 

1). Much of the idolatry that took place in the Old Testament was carried out in the high places.

2). Rick Renner 5/30/16 The word “imaginations” is taken from the Greek word logismos, which is where we get the word “logic,” as in “logical thinking.” Thank God for a good, sound mind, but even a sound mind must be submitted to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, your mind will develop a stronghold of natural reasoning that starts to dictate all kinds of lies to your life. I call these rational strongholds. The reason I call them rational strongholds is that they are strongholds in the mind that make sense! You see, your logical mind will always try to talk you out of obeying God. In fact, if you don’t take charge of your mind, it will begin to completely dominate and control your obedience to God. It will tell you that you can’t afford to obey the Lord and that it isn’t a good time to step out in faith. Your natural mind will come up with a whole host of logical reasons to explain why you shouldn’t do what the Spirit of God is telling you to do.

3). D.C.: If we as believers allow these “imaginations” these  “high things” to reside in our minds, they will precede and determine our disobedience to the will of God. They will stunt and determine our spiritual growth, these are what we are to demolish and pull down, not allowing them in our lives. The result of these strongholds is fear, unbelief and disobedience. This is why the Bible tells us not to give provision to the flesh.

4). It is because of these things that some believers never get victory in their lives regarding some areas of their lives, it may be healing, it may be fear. 

a ). Philippians 2:12-15 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.

(1). murmurings [Strong: 1112 goggusmos gong-goos-mos' from 1111; a grumbling:--grudging, murmuring.] [Zodhiates: Grumbling, murmuring, grudging or muttering in general.

(a) The murmuring of Israel got them into much trouble with God. 

(b)  Exodus 16:7 And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?

(c) Numbers 14:27 How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.

(d) Numbers 14:36 And the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the land,

(2). disputing [Strong: 1261 dialogismos dee-al-og-is-mos' from 1260; discussion, i.e. (internal) consideration (by implication, purpose), or (external) debate:--dispute, doubtful(-ing), imagination, reasoning, thought.] [Zodhiates: thoughts, purposes, debate, disputes] [D.C: It seems that these begin in the mind, to cause us to disobey the word and will of God.]

(3). How do we obey all things without murmurings and disputings? We cast them down, we demolish them. Every imagination that that disputes the word or will of God in my life is to be pulled down. 

b). Romans 13:13, 14 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

(1) provision [4307 pronoia pron'-oy-ah from 4306; forethought, i.e. provident care or supply:--providence, provision.] [pro-before; noeo-to think.]

c). 2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

d). Isaiah 5:13 Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.

e). 2 Corinthians 2:10, 11 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;

2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

2. “…and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God…”

a. high thing [Strong: 5313 hupsoma hoop'-so-mah; from 5312; an elevated place or thing, i.e. (abstractly) altitude, or (by implication) a barrier (figuratively):-- height, high thing.]  [Zodhiates: Something made high, elevated, a high place, height, elevation.] [Vines: a high thing lifted up as a barrier or in antagonistic exaltation.]  

1).These high things would include philosophical, scientific, social, political or cultural arguments or pronouncements, in short, everything in life. 

d. that exalteth itself [Strong: 1869 epairo ep-ahee'-ro; from 1909 and 142; to raise up (literally or figuratively):--exalt self, poise (lift, take) up.] [Zodhiates: to hoist up as a sail, to lift up.] [Vines: to lift up one’s self, raise up as against any thing, metaphorically to become exalted.] [D.C.: to raise up an argument, a debate, an idea, a line or school of thought above the word of God.]

f. the knowledge [Strong: 1108 . gnosis gno'-sis; from 1097; knowing (the act), i.e. (by implication) knowledge:--knowledge, science.] [Zodhiates: Knowledge, present and fragmentary.] 

g. of God [Strong: 2316 theos theh'-os; of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

1). This would include all of our philosophies concerning evolution, abortion rights, queer marriage and a host of others. 

3. “…and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

a. bringing into captivity [Strong: 163 aichmalotizo aheekh-mal-o-tid'-zo from 164; to make captive:--lead away captive, bring into captivity.] [Vines: denotes either to lead away captive or to bring under control.] [Perry Stone: Bringing into captivity (2 Corinthians 10:5) literally means to take someone prisoner at the point of a spear. It is a warfare term indicating you must be aggressive to destroy the lies of the adversary.] [D.C.: This same word is used of the law of sin and death bringing me into captivity to sin.] 

1). Romans 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

2). It is our responsibility to discipline our thought life, to make our thoughts obedient to Christ. This is only one of the components of the believers attitude toward the word of God.

a). Romans 3:3, 4 For what is some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?                                                                              

3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true and every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightiest be justified in thy sayings, and mightiest overcome when thou art judged.

b).  Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

                                                                                                                          a). 

c). Psalm 119:128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

(1) The writer of Psalm 119:128 is not saying that whatever God’s word says about anything is correct. [Even though that is true!] He is arming his mind with God’s word. He believes God’s word in all matters to be correct. This is the spiritually healthy, godly attitude that believers must exhibit toward the Scriptures. Some may regard this as brainwashing, but Bless God, we need our brains washed!

2 Corinthians 10:6

And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

a. ASV: And being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall be made full. [Thomas Nelson & Sons first published the American Standard Version in 1901. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.]

b. YLT: And being in readiness to avenge every disobedience, whenever your obedience may be fulfilled. [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

1. “And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” 

a. [a] readiness [Strong: 2092   hetoimos het-oy'-mos from an old noun heteos (fitness); adjusted, i.e. ready:--prepared, (made) ready(-iness, to our hand).]

b. [to] revenge [Strong: 1556 ekdikeo ek-dik-eh'-o from 1558; to vindicate, retaliate, punish:--a (re-)venge.]

1). Godly sorrow will work in us a fear, a carefulness, [diligence], indignation[anger toward the sin], a vehement desire, a revenge not to fall into the sin again.

a). 2 Corinthians 7:10, 11 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.