📖 Biblical Definition
"Bringing every thought into captivity" is Paul’s command in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, within his great metaphor of spiritual warfare: "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 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." The picture is a war of thoughts: the fortified positions of false philosophy and lying imagination are torn down, and every escaping thought is captured and led in chains to Christ’s obedience. The mind is the battlefield. Christian men do not just have thoughts; they govern them.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
2 Cor 10:5: thoughts as warfare-territory; subjected to Christ's lordship.
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Paul's command in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 within his fortified spiritual-warfare metaphor: "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 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." The picture: each thought is captured (taken prisoner of war) and made to bow before Christ. Imaginations (Greek logismoi = reasonings, arguments) are evaluated; arrogant ones are dismantled; all are subjected to Christ. The Christian intellectual life as fortress-storming.
📖 Key Scripture
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 — "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; 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."
Philippians 4:8 — "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Romans 12:2 — "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often abandons the intellectual battlefield; Paul commands its capture.
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Modern Christianity sometimes abandons the intellectual battlefield to skeptics and atheists, focusing instead on emotion and experience. Paul refuses: every thought, every argument, every high-thing-that-exalts-itself must be brought captive. Christianity is a thinking-faith; the mind is warfare-territory.
Recover the warfare: examine your thoughts. Which are imaginations to be cast down? Which arguments need dismantling? Which high-things stand exalted against the knowledge of God? Bring them all captive.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek aichmalōtizontes pan noēma eis tēn hypakoēn tou Christou.
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['Greek', 'G163', 'aichmalōtizō', 'to take captive']
['Greek', 'G3540', 'noēma', 'thought, mind, perception']
['Greek', 'G5218', 'hypakoē', 'obedience']
Usage
"Bring every thought captive to Christ."
"Cast down imaginations."
"Mind is warfare-territory."