10:4

overturning strongly entrenched things: The Greek verb here rendered “overturning” is rendered “tear down” at 2Co 10:8; 13:10. In the Septuagint, this Greek verb is used to translate a Hebrew word rendered “demolish.” (Ex 23:24) For “strongly entrenched things,” Paul uses a Greek word (o·khyʹro·ma) that occurs nowhere else in the Christian Greek Scriptures. Although Paul uses the term figuratively, it generally denotes a fortress or a fortified city. The Septuagint uses it at Pr 21:22, and some scholars say that Paul alludes to that verse here. The Septuagint also uses the term in reference to the famed fortified city of Tyre and other fortresses. (Jos 19:29; La 2:5; Mic 5:11; Zec 9:3) So the word picture brought to mind is that of “overturning” or “tearing down” a massive fortress, as when conquering a fortified city.