Language Studies

Greek Thoughts

NOEMA* - Part 4 - ὑπὸστασις (Strong's #5287)
Mind, thoughts, perceptions, device, purpose

We continue this week with the fourth part of our series on the word νὸημα (Strong's #3540), which represents, not just the perceptive process, but the very perceptions and thoughts themselves. In 2Corinthians Chapters 2-4, Paul presents the spiritual truths that form the basis for the motivation of his ministry. In 2 Corinthians 2:11, Paul teaches that Satan is not only able to perceive a believer's weaknesses, but is also able to plan a methodical attack against the believer, predicated on his weaknesses. In 2 Corinthians 3:14, Paul presents that the perception of the Israelites was hardened so that they were not able to perceive that the glory of the Law and the Old Covenant was temporary. Paul also tells us, in 2 Corinthians 4:4, that Satan is the one who has blinded the perceptions of the unbelieving for the purpose of keeping the illumination of the gospel of the glory of Christ from shining upon them. Based on these three texts, Paul presents his goal and motivation for ministry in .

Paul is writing in defense of his apostleship. False teachers have attacked Paul's ministry, citing his poor speaking ability and the apparent weakness of his flesh. False teachers will always use the flesh as a barometer of spirituality. They emphasize that success in the physical realm is a sign that one is blessed and in right standing with God. Paul answers the attack against him in 2 Corinthians 10:1-6 (Literal Translation).

First, Paul appeals to the Corinthian believers in verse 1.

1)
Now I Paul myself am encouraging you through the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who, on the one hand, while being present,F1 I am humble among you, but on the other hand, while being absent, I am bold toward you;

Paul appears to be quoting a criticism against him when he says, "on the one hand, while being present, I am humble among you, but on the other hand, while being absent, I am bold toward you." This understanding is strengthened by Paul's reference to this criticism in verse 10, "because the letters, he says, are weighty and strong, but the presence of his body is weak, and his speech has been despised." Because of this criticism, Paul encourages or appeals to them "through the meekness and gentleness of Christ." The meekness Paul makes reference to here is πραὸτης (Strong's # 4236), which has the sense of openness or receptivity. Gentleness, the other word Paul uses to describe Christ in this verse, is ἐπιεὶκεια (Strong's #1932), which literally means "yielding." So Paul is encouraging the Corinthian believers on the basis of the Lord's example of an open and yielding attitude. Paul is pointing out that the humble, lowly approach to life is not just his, but also was that of the Lord, because Jesus had a receptive attitude toward people and was not overbearing in his approach to them.

After this appeal in verse 1, Paul uses verses 2-4 to address the criticism which has been put forth against him.

2)
but I ask, while not being present, that I should be boldF2 with the confidenceF3 with whichF4 I think that I should be daringF5 againstF6 some, that is, the ones thinking us as walking according to flesh.

3)
For while walking in flesh, we do not war according to flesh;

Paul says that even though he is walking "in" flesh, he does not war "according to" flesh. These two prepositions are very important in Paul's argument; as is an understanding of Ephesians 6:12 where Paul explains that we are to put on the whole armor of God "because our wrestling is not against blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual forces of evil in the spirit realm." Paul is teaching that the war is a spiritual one and that he does not fight with weapons of the flesh.

4)
for the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but powerful with GodF7 to pulling down of strongholds;

Next, Paul says that the weapons of our warfare are powerful with God to the intent of pulling down fortresses or strongholds. Paul is telling them that his weapons are powerful with God as the strength source. With God's power, Paul is a soldier involved in pulling down the fortress walls of false teaching that have been used to keep believers captive.

In verses 5,6 Paul shows what weapons of spiritual warfare can do. He uses three participles, each describing one of the three areas which he is fighting against and pulling down.

5)
pulling down reasonings and every high thing lifting itself up againstF8 the knowledge of God and leading captive every perception (νὸημα) into the obedience of Christ,

Verse 5 presents two of the warfare areas. The first is the stronghold of "reasonings," (λογισμὸς, Strong's #3053) and "high things," (ὕψωμα, Strong's #5313). The word "reasonings" represents the ideas and philosophies of Man. Many of the teachings in Paul's day came from the personal beliefs and philosophies of Man just as happens in our day. The second thing Paul is pulling down under this first participle is "every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God." A high thing represents a prideful attitude that rises up against the knowledge of God. Paul is mighty with God to confront and fight false teaching that comes from arrogant attitudes producing philosophies and beliefs contrary to the knowledge of God. Again, this is also true of many in our day: Modern theologians say that fundamental Biblical teachings are causing problems in the Body of Christ and that believers should take a more liberal approach to the teachings of Scripture. Just as their predecessors, they are rising up in pride to scoff at the knowledge of God.

The second area where Paul is doing warfare by means of the power of God is in "leading captive every perception into the obedience of Christ." Paul's main concern for the believers pertains to their perception of what the truth of Christ is. He presents that he pulls down the strongholds of philosophy and pride and is leading their perceptions (νὸημα) into the obedience of Christ.

This is the primary motive of Paul's ministry. He says in 2 Corinthians 12:14, "Behold, I am ready a third time to come to you, and I will not burden you, for I am not seeking your things, but you; for the children are not indebted to treasure up for the parents, but the parents for the children." Paul does not minister to believers because of the things they possess or because of what he can obtain from them, but because he is interested in them — that is, in their souls and in the way they perceive the things of Christ. Paul is a soldier fighting against the teachings and beliefs that contradict God's truth as well as fighting to lead believers' perceptions into obedience to Christ. These two things are necessary and need to be done at the same time, because we tend to let our minds wander, imagining great spiritual truths that are not found in the Word of God, imaginary "truths" that contradict what God's Word actually says.

6)
and having in readiness that we should avengeF9 all disobedience, whenever your obedience should be fulfilled.

The third participle exposes the third area where Paul uses the weapons of his warfare: "having readiness that we should avenge all disobedience, whenever your obedience should be fulfilled." In the third phase of Paul's ministry, he is ready to avenge those who are disobedient to the knowledge and truth of God. The word "disobedience" is παρακοὴ (Strong's #3876) and means to put your hearing away from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Paul says that as soon as their obedience is complete, when they are delivered from the false teaching and delivered over to having their thoughts and perceptions in obedience to Christ, he will come and avenge all disobedience. Their deliverance and obedience is to serve as a foundation for establishing the truth in Christ and the pulling down of the strongholds of false teaching and disobedience.

Every person in ministry is a soldier who should be fighting, under the influence of the power of God, for the hearts and minds of God's people. The one in ministry is responsible to keep the world and its philosophies from influencing the church. Those serving the Lord should stand for and establish the "knowledge of God" among God's people, no matter how unpopular or old fashioned it may be considered by some.

We will continue with Paul's emphasis on fighting for the "perceptions" of the saints in next week.

* NOEMA is the English font spelling of the Greek word νὸημα.

Technical Notes:

F1: The prepositional phrase κατὰ͂πρὸσωπον, "according to face," is translated by the present participle παρῶν, of πὰρειμι, "while being present."

F2: The infinitive θαρρῆσαι, "to be bold," is translated by νὰ͂θαρρὴσωμεν, "that I should be bold."

F3: The dative of means τή̀͂πεποιθὴσει, "the confidence," is translated με͂τή̀ν͂πεποιθὴσιν, "with the confidence."

F4: The personal pronoun representing the dative of means ᾗ, "which," is translated by με͂τὴν͂ὁποῖαν, "with which."

F5: The verb with the infinitive of purpose λογὶζομαῖτολμῆσαι, "I think to be daring," is translated λογὶζομαῖνὰ͂τολμὴσω, "I think that I should be daring."

F6: The prepositional phrase ἐπὶ͂τινας, "upon some," is translated ἐναντὶον͂τινῶν, "against some."

F7: The dative of means τῷ͂θεῷ, "to the God," is translated by σὺν͂τῷ͂θεῷ, "with God."

F8: The prepositional phrase κατὰ͂τῆς͂γνὼσεως͂τοῦ͂θεοῦ, "down on the knowledge of God," is translated by ἐναντὶον͂τῆς͂γνὼσεως͂τοῦ͂θεοῦ, "against the knowledge of God."

F9: The infinitive of purpose ἐκδικῆσαι,"to avenge," is translated νὰ͂ἐκδικὴσωμεν, "that we should avenge."

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Meet the Author

Bill Klein has been a pastor, counselor, and educator for the past 41 years. He has had extensive training and education in biblical languages, and has authored a Biblical Greek course.

He is currently serving as Professor of Biblical Greek at Master's Graduate School of Divinity, and president of BTE Ministries - The Bible Translation and Exegesis Institute of America, a non-profit organization located in California that provides Bible study tapes and Greek study materials through their website BTEMinistries.org.