2 Corinthians 10:3-5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:5

Verse 5 5.And bring into captivity I am of opinion, that, having previously spoken more particularly of the conflict of spiritual armor, along with the hinderances that rise up in opposition to the gospel of Christ, he now, on the other hand, speaks of the ordinary preparation, by which men must be brought into subjection to him. For so long as we rest in our own judgment, and are wise in our own estimation, we are far from having made any approach to the doctrine of Christ. Hence we must set... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 10:1-7

No one can fail to notice the change in the tone of the Epistle which appears in this chapter. Every thoughtful reader of St. Paul knows how abrupt his transitions frequently are, and how rapidly he digresses from his main point to something incidental to his topic. His mental associations are governed by two distinct laws—first, by ideas exciting feelings which lead him to diverge from his main line; and next, by emotions arising from some occult source that vary his action of intellect. In... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 10:1-18

Plunging at once into his subject, with a solemn appeal, he declares his apostolic power (verses 1-8), and that he will exercise it in person as well as by letters, in answer to the taunt of his opponents (verses 9-11). He then shows that his estimate of himself is formed on very different methods from those of his adversaries (verses 12-16), and that he referred all grounds of boasting solely to the judgment of God (verses 17, 18). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 10:3

We walk in the flesh. St. Paul does not disclaim the possession of human infirmities, but maintains that such trials and temptations were not the guiding force of his life. We do not war after the flesh. His campaigns ( Luke 3:14 ) were fought with spiritual weapons. The metaphor is a constant one with St. Paul ( 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 ; 1 Corinthians 9:26 ; Ephesians 6:10-17 , etc.). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 10:4

Weapons (see 2 Corinthians 6:7 ; Romans 6:13 ). Not carnal. He did not rely on the mere "arm of flesh," or on earthly sword or panoply. Mighty through God; literally, powerful for God; i.e. either To the pulling down of strongholds. The word for "pulling down," which implies the entire clearance of an obstacle, is only found in the New Testament in this Epistle ( 2 Corinthians 10:4 , 2 Corinthians 10:8 ; 2 Corinthians 13:10 ). The word for "strongholds" is found here... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 10:4

The Apostle Paul was naturally of a combative, soldier-like disposition. Before his conversion this temperament displayed itself in opposition to the cause of truth, to the Church of Christ. After his conversion his warfare was directed against the error, sin, and evil that afflicted and cursed mankind. As a soldier of Christ he fought a good fight and gained an honourable reputation. In the text we have, upon his own authority, the acknowledgment and explanation of his victories. 1. THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 10:4

One style of weapon for one kind of conflict, another for another. For the common battlefield, cannon and rifle with their horrid din, the bayonet, and the sword. For contests of opinion, weapons of argument and intellectual precision—writings, lectures, and debates. For successes in the sphere of spiritual thought and life, spiritual weapons mighty through God. St. Paul was much addicted to the use of military metaphors. To him a zealous missionary was a good soldier of Christ; a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 10:5

Casting down. This agrees with "we" understood, not with "weapons." Imaginations; rather, disputations, or reasonings . Every high thing that exalteth itself; rather, every height that is exalted . Against the knowledge of God (see 1 Corinthians 15:34 ). There, however, we have passive ignorance, here active opposition. Bringing into captivity. When the fortresses are razed, their defenders will be taken prisoners, but for a beneficent end. Every thought. Even intellectual... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:3

For though we walk in the flesh - Though we are mortal like other people; though we dwell like them in mortal bodies, and necessarily must devote some care to our temporal needs; and though, being in the flesh, we are conscious of imperfections and frailties like others. The sense is, that he did not claim exemption from the common needs and frailties of nature. The best of people are subject to these needs and frailties; the best of people are liable to err.We do not war after the flesh - The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:4

For the weapons of our warfare - The means by which we hope to achieve our victory.Are not carnal - Not those of the flesh. Not such as the people of the world use. They are not such as are employed by conquerors; nor are they such as people in general rely on to advance their cause. We do not depend on eloquence, or talent, or learning, or wealth, or beauty, or any of the external aids on which the people of this world rely. They are not such as derive advantage from any power inherent in... read more

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