Casting down imaginations. — The participle is in agreement with the “we war not” of 2 Corinthians 10:3. In the Greek word rendered “imaginations,” we have the noun derived from the verb rendered “think,” or reckon, in 2 Corinthians 10:2. It would be better, perhaps, to carry on the continuity by rendering it thoughts, or even reckonings.
Every high thing that exalteth itself. — The noun probably belongs, like “stronghold,” to the language of military writers, and indicates one of the rock fortresses, the
“Tot congesta manu præruptis oppida saxis,”
[“Towns piled high on rocks precipitous,”]
— Virgil, Georg. i. 156.
which were so conspicuous in all ancient systems of defence.
Against the knowledge of God. — The parable and the interpretation are here obviously blended. The thoughts of men resist the knowledge of God as the stronghold of rebels resists the armies of the rightful king.
Bringing into captivity every thought. — The verb is used by St. Paul again in Romans 7:23; 2 Timothy 3:6. There can be no doubt that “the obedience of Christ “means “obedience to Christ,” and it had better, therefore, be so translated.