2 Corinthians 10:5-6 And all arrogance against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 and in readiness to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
One way Paul wages the spiritual warfare of v. 4 is by making sure his own thinking is right. The truth of the gospel destroys the lofty arrogance that thinks it is right. Pride is one of the core human problems. People do not think they need God. They elevate their logic and ideas above God’s revelation. They think their opinions, theories, and speculations are better than knowing who God is. This is a big problem in modern times. Humanism has infiltrated all aspects of life. This has affected politics, ethics, entertainment, education, and everything else. It is a subtle danger that enters into Christian dialogue and even theology. In an effort to be logical and consistent, certain theologians challenge the authenticity and inspiration of the revelation found in the Bible. This type of thinking was also present in Paul’s time. Certain people had gone to Corinth with a different message than what Paul preached. Paul judges this as a false message that is full of pride and goes against the true gospel he preached.
The way Paul disciplines his own views is to “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” Everything needs to go through the filter of whether or not it is consistent with God’s revelation of Christ. The “obedience of Christ” refers to obeying what Christ commands. We know this command through the Holy Spirit who teaches us the mind of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:16). The litmus test of proper thinking is obedience to the Holy Spirit who will remind us of what we have studied in the Bible, God’s special revelation to us. This is not subjective or whatever we think or feel about a topic. This is a rock-solid and clear test of proper thinking. But the Bible is a complex document that teaches many things. So, it is important to put all interpretation through the lens of God’s revelation in Jesus Christ and test this interpretation through what the church has taught (tradition), what is logical and consistent according to good exegetical method (reason), and what works in the life of the community of faith (experience).
Verse 6 shows Paul’s urgency about the whole situation expressed as a warning against disobedience. It is difficult to know what Paul means here. The first phrase implies that Paul or the “we” of v. 3 will be ready to punish any who do not listen and obey his instructions. He would do this when he comes there for a visit. What this punishment would be is not stated. In his letters, Paul uses strong language like what is found in this chapter whenever he feels that the gospel is being threatened. He takes orthodoxy very seriously. He will confront anyone who has not changed and corrected false teaching. He hopes and expects the Corinthians to listen and obey. When they have followed through with this letter, he will plan a visit and check up on them. These are strong words, and Paul is not finished yet but just getting warmed up.
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