2 Corinthians 10:4
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Original Language Analysis
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γὰρ
(For
G1063
γὰρ
(For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 15
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ὅπλα
the weapons
G3696
ὅπλα
the weapons
Strong's:
G3696
Word #:
3 of 15
an implement or utensil or tool (literally or figuratively, especially, offensive for war)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στρατείας
warfare
G4752
στρατείας
warfare
Strong's:
G4752
Word #:
5 of 15
military service, i.e., (figuratively) the apostolic career (as one of hardship and danger)
σαρκικὰ
carnal
G4559
σαρκικὰ
carnal
Strong's:
G4559
Word #:
8 of 15
pertaining to flesh, i.e., (by extension) bodily, temporal, or (by implication) animal, unregenerate
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
9 of 15
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
δυνατὰ
mighty
G1415
δυνατὰ
mighty
Strong's:
G1415
Word #:
10 of 15
powerful or capable (literally or figuratively); neuter possible
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεῷ
through God
G2316
θεῷ
through God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
12 of 15
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
13 of 15
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
Cross References
2 Corinthians 6:7By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,Jeremiah 1:10See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.1 Corinthians 2:5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.1 Timothy 1:18This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;Romans 13:12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.2 Corinthians 4:7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.1 Thessalonians 5:8But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.Romans 6:13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.2 Corinthians 3:5Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;Psalms 110:2The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
Historical Context
Corinthian believers lived under Roman military dominance. Fortresses (ὀχυρώματα) were strategically positioned strongholds requiring prolonged siege to conquer. Paul's metaphor communicated the comprehensive, violent overthrow of anti-God ideologies—not gentle persuasion but demolition of rebellious intellectual fortifications through Spirit-empowered truth.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'strongholds'—persistent thought patterns, ideologies, or worldviews—resist God's truth in your mind?
- How have you experienced God's Word 'demolishing' a false belief system that once seemed impregnable?
- Why is human eloquence or philosophical argument insufficient to overthrow spiritual strongholds, requiring divine power instead?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God (τὰ γὰρ ὅπλα τῆς στρατείας ἡμῶν οὐ σαρκικὰ ἀλλὰ δυνατὰ τῷ θεῷ)—Hopla (ὅπλα, "weapons") denotes both offensive and defensive armament (cf. Eph 6:13-17). These weapons are dunata tō theō (δυνατὰ τῷ θεῷ, "powerful to/through God")—their efficacy derives entirely from divine power, not human skill. Paul's "weapons" included gospel proclamation, apostolic authority, Spirit-empowered ministry, and suffering love.
To the pulling down of strong holds (πρὸς καθαίρεσιν ὀχυρωμάτων)—Ochyrōmatōn (ὀχυρωμάτων, "strongholds/fortresses") were fortified positions in siege warfare. Spiritually, these represent entrenched ideological systems, false worldviews, and intellectual structures that resist God's truth. The gospel doesn't merely persuade—it demolishes (kathairesis, complete destruction) rebellious thought-systems and establishes Christ's lordship over human reasoning.