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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"And bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." And yet the name, "captivity," hath an ill sound with it; for it is the destruction of liberty. Wherefore then has he used it? With a meaning of its own, in regard to another point. For the word "captivity" conveys two ideas, the loss of liberty, and the being so violently overpowered as not to rise up again. It is therefore in respect to this second meaning that he took it. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
With these weapons, he says, we cast down the reasonings of the Greeks and their pride, or: we draw out their minds and souls from the error with which they are infected, and subject them to the truth. Thus the mind and haughtiness of the Areopagite were drawn away from impiety and subjected to piety. Note that he did not say: we employ battering rams, but simply: we destroy; by this is shown the ease of the victory and the power of the weapons. He continues the allegory in order to clarify what is desired. …
Methodius of Olympus
And the apostle too, in another place: "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.". that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil; "casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of Christ"
Western Saints
Thomas Aquinas
Men fortify themselves against God in two ways: some with astute plans, such as tyrants, who plot with their evil designs to destroy the things of God, that they may exercise their tyranny; as to this he says, we destroy arguments [counsels], namely, of tyrants: "He takes the wise in their own craftiness" (Job 5:13). But others through pride or profundity of their own talent; as to this he says, and every proud obstacle [height], namely, of their pride: "Do not be haughty" (Rom. …
Bernard of Clairvaux
For the Father loves the Son, and every height that exalts itself against the knowledge of the Word, he always has at hand to cast down and to destroy, whether by sending zeal or by directing it: of which the former is of mercy, the latter of judgment. Therefore the devil was judged in fury, because his iniquity was found to be unto hatred; but man's unto wrath, and therefore he is chastised in wrath. Thus every height has been crushed, both that which puffs up and that which casts down, the Father indeed being zealous for the Son. …
Bonaventure
"Bringing into captivity the understanding unto the obedience of Christ." He who wishes to search sacred Scripture according to the light of his own intelligence thinks the most false errors. In this life we are little ones, and "the learner must believe." For it is necessary to believe God, and especially in sublime matters that transcend our understanding. The first Angel erred because he presumed upon himself. …
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