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For though we live[a] as human beings,[b] we do not wage war according to human standards,[c] for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons,[d] but are made powerful by God[e] for tearing down strongholds.[f] We tear down arguments[g] and every arrogant obstacle[h] that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey[i] Christ. We are also ready to punish every act of disobedience,[j] whenever your obedience is complete.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 10:3 tn Grk “we walk.”
  2. 2 Corinthians 10:3 tn Grk “in the flesh.”
  3. 2 Corinthians 10:3 tn Grk “according to the flesh.”
  4. 2 Corinthians 10:4 tn Grk “are not fleshly [weapons].” The repetition of the word “warfare” does not occur in the Greek text, but is supplied for clarity.
  5. 2 Corinthians 10:4 tn Or “but (are) divinely powerful,” “but they have divine power,” or “but are powerful for God’s [service]”; Grk “but are powerful to God.”
  6. 2 Corinthians 10:4 sn Ultimately Paul is referring here to the false arguments of his opponents, calling them figuratively “strongholds.” This Greek word (ὀχύρωμα, ochurōma) is used only here in the NT.
  7. 2 Corinthians 10:4 tn Or “speculations.”
  8. 2 Corinthians 10:5 tn The phrase “every arrogant obstacle” could be translated simply “all arrogance” (so L&N 88.207).
  9. 2 Corinthians 10:5 tn Grk “to the obedience of Christ,” but since Χριστοῦ (Christou) is clearly an objective genitive here, it is better to translate “to make it obey Christ.”
  10. 2 Corinthians 10:6 tn Or “punish all disobedience.”

We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. [a]We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.

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Footnotes

  1. 10:4 English translations divide verses 4 and 5 in various ways.