John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 10:5

"casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;" — 2 Corinthians 10:5 (ASV)

And bring into captivity: I am of the opinion that, having previously spoken more particularly of the conflict of spiritual armor, along with the hindrances that rise up in opposition to the gospel of Christ, he now, on the other hand, speaks of the ordinary preparation by which people must be brought into subjection to Him. For as long as we rest in our own judgment and are wise in our own estimation, we are far from having made any approach to the doctrine of Christ. Hence, we must begin with this: that

he who is wise must become a fool (1 Corinthians 3:18).

That is, we must give up our own understanding, renounce the wisdom of the flesh, and thus present our minds to Christ empty so that He may fill them. Now, the form of expression must be observed when he says that he brings every thought into captivity. For it is as though he had said that the liberty of the human mind must be restrained and bridled, so that it may not be wise apart from the doctrine of Christ; and further, that its audacity cannot be restrained by any other means than by its being carried away, as it were, captive. Now, it is by the guidance of the Spirit that it is brought to allow itself to be placed under control and remain in a voluntary captivity.