In the Greek New Testament, sentences tend to be longer than normal English style allows, so translators (rightly) divide long Greek sentences into shorter English sentences.

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).įirstly, please note that in Greek this is one sentence, not two. Here is the passage:įor the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. The two Christian uses mentioned above may have some biblical basis via other more general passages, but the only biblical passage that uses the language of “stronghold” does not define a stronghold in either of the two ways listed above. The only reason people use the word “stronghold” is because some of our English translations render the word ὀχύρωμα 2 Corinthians 10:4 as “stronghold.” (Others translate it as “fortress”.) Thus, our use of the word “stronghold” suggests that the person using the word has a biblical basis for whatever he or she is asserting. Moreover, I think that there is sometimes (though certainly not always) a spiritual-warfare component underlying besetting sins that ought to be addressed through confident and dependent prayer.īut here is the reason I wrote this post: When we use biblical language, we ought to use it the way the Bible uses it. I have no doubt that demons sometimes cluster in certain cities or regions more so than in others, and furthermore believe that we should pray that the Lord defeats their evil deeds. The Christian’s responsibility, in this usage, is to be delivered from this demon through personal prayer and the prayers of others who come alongside to help break the power of such a “stronghold.”īiblical Usage: My aim today is not to critique the worldview underlying these two contemporary Christian uses of the English word “stronghold” (though I have some quibbles). This usage is sometimes accompanied by expressions describing the afflicted person as having a spirit of lust, or jealousy, or violence (which does not mean an attitude evincing such things, but being oppressed by a demon who is inciting the person to lust, jealousy, or violence). Thus, a person is held by a demon in a pattern of lust, jealousy, or violence. A “stronghold,” in this second usage, describes an area of sin in an individual’s life connected somehow to the work of a demon or demons. The Christian’s responsibility, when the word “stronghold” is used in this way, is to tear down and drive away the demonic powers in that place through prayer and proclamation of the truth.Ĭommon Usage in Christian circles #2: In some Christian circles, however, there is a second way I have heard this word used. Underlying this usage is the assumption that a large concentration of demons are working together to blind, harass, and hinder God’s kingdom work in a particular place. There are two ways I have commonly heard “stronghold” used in Christian circles.Ĭommon Usage in Christian circles #1: In Christian circles that use this word-and not all Christians talk about “strongholds”-the first way I have heard this word used is to describe a place (a city or region) infested by a large number of demons who oppose the work of God.

Let’s look at how Christians who use this term normally employ it.

This is the most basic meaning of “stronghold” in English.īut I presume that most people reading this blog are not interested in that definition. Normal usage outside of Christian circles: According to the Cambridge dictionary online, a stronghold is: “A building or position that is strongly defended.” One example of a stronghold would be a fortress set on a high hill, surrounded by tall walls, guarded by hundreds of soldiers. The answer to this question depends upon 1) whether you are trying to define the word according to its common usage outside of Christian circles, 2) whether you are trying to clarify what Christians who use it generally mean when they pray against strongholds, or 3) whether you are trying to determine what it means in the one passage in the Bible where it appears. “We pray against this stronghold…” Have you ever heard someone utter this line in prayer-or have you uttered it yourself? If you have ever used this expression, what did you mean when you used it? What is a “stronghold”?

Kindle definition bible