According to Paul in 2 Corinthians 10, systems which threaten the gospel must be pulled down (“tear down” in NET, “destroy” in ESV). As he goes on to explain in 2 Corinthians 10, these strongholds are destroyed by (1) tearing down arguments, (2) tearing down arrogance, and (3) subjecting every thought to Christ.
Tearing Down Arguments
The first in this three-pronged attack is tearing down arguments. The word translated “arguments” is logismós, which describes a logical proposition (notice the root logos, which is behind the English word logic). These are ideas which are inconsistent with or opposed to biblical truth. This is a broad category and includes many errors. The central takeaway for us is that spiritual warfare includes intellectual arguments. The Christian responds to errant arguments by counter-arguments, demonstrating its biblical and rational inconsistencies.
Spiritual warfare has less to do with power struggles and more to do with ideas and beliefs. So Paul encourages Timothy to “correct those who are in opposition…so they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil” (2 Tim. 2:25-26). How has the devil ensnared these men? By dulling their senses and blinding them to the truth. Timothy’s pastoral duty required him to show his opponents their error so they could know the truth and escape demonic bondage.
So we conclude that there is great need for biblical literacy and theological conviction in our circles. Without these, we are vulnerable to Satan’s deceits. We need to know biblical doctrine so we can dismantle the arguments which compromise the gospel and jeopardize our salvation.
Tearing Down Arrogance
Second, Paul says he tears down arrogance. Now, this is not exactly what the text says, so I will explain myself. In 2 Corinthians 10:5 he says he “casts down…every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.” “Every high thing” in the NKJV can also be translated “every lofty opinion” (ESV) or “every arrogant obstacle” (NET). This speaks of the attitude of those who oppose God’s truth. While “arguments” refers to unbiblical ideas, this refers to unsubmissive attitudes. I think Paul is describing a rebellious person, one who refuses to accept God’s definition of reality.
Since “casting down” applies both to “arguments” and to “every high thing,” I have applied it to this second aspect of spiritual warfare. Thus Paul “tears down arrogance.” He opposes not only unbiblical ideas, but also unbiblical attitudes.
Specifically, this is the attitude which refuses to submit to Scripture. He says these high things are exalted “against the knowledge of God.” Now, “knowledge of God” here speaks of relationship with God and experience of Him, but we understand that this kind of knowledge (experiencing His person) can only come with a cognitive understanding of who God is. And this comes through God’s self-disclosure in Scripture.
This arrogance suppresses true comprehension and experience of God. The Corinthian super-apostles thought they were high up on the spiritual ladder, but they were not submitted to God. They rejected God’s authority and posited their own. We learn from this that it is possible for someone to think he is spiritually significant when he is actually opposing the truth.
And there’s something for us to learn in contrast. True spiritual warfare is waged in humility. It’s not about who is the smartest or most educated, but rather about who is most in line with God’s truth. The servant of God must “correct those who are in opposition,” but he must do so “in humility” (cf. 2 Tim. 2:25). Humility is not about our mannerisms or our appearances, but is instead about our attitude toward the truth. One may appear to be humble while being a very proud person in his heart. True humility is submission to God. Ironically, true humility often produces the greatest boldness, as seen here in the apostle Paul.
Subjecting Every Thought to Christ
The third prong draws together the first two. Paul wages this spiritual war by “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” In this we see both the intellectual aspect (“every thought”) and the spiritual aspect (“into captivity to the obedience of Christ”). The “thoughts” here are the ideas and propositions spoken of earlier as “arguments.” Every conceivable idea is brought under Christ’s authority. Human philosophies and experiences are submitted to His dominion. This again brings us back to the centrality of Scripture, since Christ rules His church by His written word. Every idea—whether from a sincere believer or from a counterfeit—must be subjected to the authority of the Bible.
It’s interesting how this connects back to verse 1. Paul pleads with them “by the meekness and gentleness of Christ.” He is not asserting his own authority or compelling them to follow him. Rather, in meekness and gentleness he seeks their good. He is humble, leading according to biblical truth and not according to his own personality. The super-apostles asserted themselves, but Paul said, “We do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Cor. 4:5). He does not fight fire with fire, but rather responds to the arrogance of the super-apostles “by the meekness and gentleness of Christ.” He does not lead by force of personality, but in humble submission to God’s truth. True spiritual leadership is service under the Lordship of Christ.
How does he move from gentleness and meekness to tearing down strongholds and casting down arguments? He does so because he himself is submitted to the authority of Christ. And because he is submitted to Christ’s truth, he opposes all those who seek to undermine it. He is not spineless. Paul opposes those who attack the gospel of Christ. But he is not concerned with his own reputation. Rather, as a servant of the church, he defends the only gospel which can reconcile people to Christ.