2 Corinthians 10:2-6

10:2 now I ask that when I am present I may not have to be bold with the confidence that (I expect) I will dare to use against some who consider us to be behaving ¹  according to human standards. ²  10:3 For though we live ³  as human beings, ⁴  we do not wage war according to human standards, ⁵  10:4 for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, ⁶  but are made powerful by God ⁷  for tearing down strongholds. ⁸  We tear down arguments ⁹  10:5 and every arrogant obstacle ¹⁰  that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey ¹¹  Christ. 10:6 We are also ready to punish every act of disobedience, ¹²  whenever your obedience is complete.

¹ tn Grk “consider us as walking.”

² tn Grk “according to the flesh.”

³ tn Grk “we walk.”

⁴ tn Grk “in the flesh.”

⁵ tn Grk “according to the flesh.”

⁶ tn Grk “are not fleshly [weapons].” The repetition of the word “warfare” does not occur in the Greek text, but is supplied for clarity.

⁷ tn Or “but (are) divinely powerful,” “but they have divine power,” or “but are powerful for God’s [service]”; Grk “but are powerful to God.”

⁸ sn Ultimately Paul is referring here to the false arguments of his opponents, calling them figuratively “strongholds.” This Greek word (ὀχύρωμα, ocurwma) is used only here in the NT.

⁹ tn Or “speculations.”

¹⁰ tn The phrase “every arrogant obstacle” could be translated simply “all arrogance” (so L&N 88.207).

¹¹ tn Grk “to the obedience of Christ”; but since Χριστοῦ (Cristou) is clearly an objective genitive here, it is better to translate “to make it obey Christ.”

¹² tn Or “punish all disobedience.”