καθαίρ-εσις G2506
demolition, destruction, tearing down; overthrow of fortifications or arguments
This noun denotes pulling down, demolition, or destruction, appearing three times in 2 Corinthians in Paul's discussion of apostolic authority. In 2 Corinthians 10:4 Paul describes spiritual weapons 'mighty for the pulling down of strongholds.' In 10:8 and 13:10 he defends his authority, given 'for building up and not for destruction' (or 'tearing down'). Classical usage includes demolition of buildings, overthrow, reduction of swelling in medical texts, and even the magical drawing down of heavenly bodies. Paul uses it metaphorically for both positive (destroying false arguments) and negative (improper use of authority that tears down rather than builds up) senses.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The sense centers on destruction or demolition, with Paul distinguishing legitimate from illegitimate forms. In 10:4 the demolition is positive—spiritual weapons demolish false reasoning and pretensions against God's knowledge. In 10:8 and 13:10 Paul contrasts his God-given authority for 'building up' (οἰκοδομή) versus 'tearing down' (καθαίρεσις)—he won't use authority destructively. The Spanish 'destrucción/derribo' and German 'Zerstörung' capture the demolition sense. The word operates in military-architectural metaphor (strongholds being demolished) and relational-ecclesial concern (authority must build, not destroy). Whether destroying bad arguments or avoiding destructive use of power, the word marks forceful, dismantling action. 3×
AR["الهَدْمِ", "هَدمِ"]·ben["ধ্বংস", "ধ্বংস।", "ধ্বংসের"]·DE["Zerstoerung"]·EN["destruction", "tearing-down"]·FR["destruction"]·heb["הֲרִיסַת", "הֲרִיסָה"]·HI["गिराने"]·ID["penghancuran"]·IT["demolizione"]·jav["ngremuk"]·KO["파괴하기-위한", "허물을"]·PT["destruição"]·RU["разрушения"]·ES["derribo", "destrucción"]·SW["kubomoa", "kubomoa."]·TR["yıkıma", "yıkımına"]·urd["گرانے"]
Related Senses
H4421 1. war, battle, armed conflict (319×)H0341 1. enemy, adversary, foe (284×)H3898a 1. Nifal: to fight, wage war (167×)H2026 1. kill, slay (active) (146×)H2451 1. wisdom, discernment (146×)H5483b 1. horse (the animal) (138×)H0006 1. to perish, be destroyed (105×)H7843 1. Hifil: destroy, annihilate (83×)H2491a 1. slain, fatally pierced (74×)H6862c 1. adversary, enemy, foe (69×)H8045 1. destroy, exterminate (69×)G0615 1. kill, put to death (60×)H6571b 1. horseman, cavalryman (52×)H8077a 1. desolation, waste (abstract state) (52×)G4678 1. of wisdom (51×)G4717 1. crucify, fasten to a cross (46×)H2763a 1. utterly destroy (Hifil active) (44×)G0622 1. perish, be destroyed (intransitive) (41×)H0006 2. to destroy, annihilate (Piel) (38×)H8074 1. be desolate, lie waste (36×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
καθαίρ-εσις, εως, ἡ, pulling down, demolition, NT+5th c.BC+; ἀναστήσωμεν τὴν κ. τοῦ λαοῦ ἡμῶν LXX the débris, Refs 3rd c.BC+ __2 generally, overthrow, subjugation, Refs 2nd c.AD+; killing, Refs 1st c.AD+ __3 reduction, diminution, opposed to πρόσθεσις, Refs 4th c.BC+: in Medicine texts, bringing down superfluous flesh, lowering, reducing, Refs 5th c.BC+ __4 eclipse of sun or moon (with reference to the magical process of drawing down those bodies), Refs 3rd c.BC+