Captive

Greek Word Pronunciation: aich-malo-TID-zoh
Strong’s Number: 163
Goodrich/Kohlenberger Number: 170
Key Verse: “… we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” -- 2 Corinthians 10:5

Aichmalotizo is a word that comes from aichme, “a spear,” and halonai, “to be captured.” This verb is used only 4 times in the New Testament. The only verse in which this verb is used literally is found in Luke 21:24, when Jesus answered the disciples’ question about the time when the temple would be destroyed: “… and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive (NIV: taken as prisoners) into all the nations.”

In the sense of “captivating,” in 2 Timothy 3:6, Paul speaks of “those who enter into households and captivate (NIV: gain control over) weak women weighed down with sins led on by various impulses.” The reference is to false teachers and their insinuating manners, practicing upon vulnerable and gullible women, who entertain them with great eagerness, and at last become partakers with them in their impurities.

The remaining two verses use aichmalotizo in terms of “bringing into subjection.” In Romans 7:23, Paul speaks of “waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.” Sin is constantly mounting a military “campaign” against the believer’s new nature, trying to gain control. But the triumph for us is through Christ.

In the key verse, 2 CORINTHIANS 10:5, Paul refers to “taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” The present tense indicates that this is something that is to be done by believers continually. All the plans of life should be controlled by the will of Christ, and formed and executed under His control, as captives are led by a conqueror. All the emotions and feelings of the heart should be controlled by Him, and led by Him as a captive is led by a victor. The strongholds of philosophy, paganism, and sin should be demolished, and all the opinions, plans, and purposes of the world should become subject to the all-conquering Redeemer.