The Greek verb aichmaloteuo (αἰχμαλωτεύω) means to take captive, to lead into captivity. It comes from aichmalotos (prisoner of war), derived from aichme (spear) — the prisoner taken at spear-point.
Paul uses aichmaloteuo in a stunning reversal in Ephesians 4:8, quoting Psalm 68:18: 'When he ascended on high, he took many captives (eichmaloteusen aichmalosian).' The ascended Christ leads a victory parade of captives — those once enslaved to sin now captive to His grace. The language of military conquest is turned on its head: Christ's 'captives' are the freed. In 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul uses related language for spiritual warfare: 'we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.'