Twin City church of Christ Blog
“June 26, 2024 - Take Every Thought Captive”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsTake Every Thought Captive
Reading: 2 Corinthians 10:1-6
Paul begins here to defend himself against some of the criticisms of the Corinthians. He especially wants them to make some changes now so that his visit to them will be pleasant rather than painful (see 2 Cor 1:23, 2:1). “I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when I am away!—I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh”(2 Cor 10:1-2). Some in Corinth have accused Paul of being weak in person and bold in letter; he urges them to change so that he doesn’t have to prove them wrong! If they continue on their present course, his visit will not be as weak as they suspect.
Yet Paul stresses that this is not about physical intimidation. “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ”(2 Cor 10:4-5). Paul has neither physical methods nor physical goals. His battle is with arguments, opinions, and thoughts that are hostile to Jesus. He is fighting for the very soul of the Corinthian church; he will fight for it from a distance and in person. In engagements like these, physical weakness or strength (see v. 10) is meaningless. The Corinthians misunderstand Paul because they misunderstand the nature of spiritual warfare.
Paul’s goal is to “take every thought captive to obey Christ.” He is convinced that the Corinthians’ thoughts matter and wants to win them over. Obedience to Jesus begins in the mind. The mind must be won. It is not enough to give Christ my body; it is not enough to give him some of my thoughts. I cannot rest until my every thought is captive to his leadership, tuned to obedience.
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One Thing to Think About: Have I ever mistaken physical weakness for spiritual weakness?
One Thing to Pray For: Purity in thought
