Original Word: νόημα
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: noéma
Pronunciation: no'-ay-mah
Phonetic Spelling: (no'-ay-mah)
KJV: device, mind, thought
NASB: minds, schemes, thought
Word Origin: [from G3539 (νοιέω - understand)]

1. a perception, i.e. purpose
2. (by implication) the intellect, disposition, itself

device, mind, thought.

From noieo; a perception, i.e. Purpose, or (by implication) the intellect, disposition, itself -- device, mind, thought.

see GREEK noieo

3540 nóēma (a neuter noun, derived from 3539 /noiéō, "to exert mental effort") – properly, the mind, especially its final output (systematic understanding, TDNT). Note the -ma suffix which underlines the result of the thinking, i.e. the personal verdict that comes out of using the mind.

Word Origin
from noeó
Definition
thought, purpose
NASB Translation
minds (4), schemes (1), thought (1).

STRONGS NT 3540: νόημα

νόημα, νοηματος, τό, from Homer down;

1. a mental perception, thought.

2. specifically, (an evil) purpose: αἰχμαλωτίζειν πᾶν νόημα εἰς τήν ὑπακοήν τοῦ Χριστοῦ, to cause whoever is devising evil against Christ to desist from his purpose and submit himself to Christ (as Paul sets him forth), 2 Corinthians 10:5; plural: 2 Corinthians 2:11 (τοῦ διαβόλου, Ignatius ad Eph. (interpolated) 14 [ET]; τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν πονηρᾶς, Baruch 2:8).

3. that which thinks, the mind: plural (where the minds of many are referred to), 2 Corinthians 3:14; 2 Corinthians 4:4, and perhaps (2 Corinthians 11:3); Philippians 4:7, for here the word may mean thoughts and purposes; (others would so take it also in all the examples cited under this head (cf. καύχημα, 2)).

Overview

Strong’s Greek 3540 (νοήμα) names the arena where perceptions, plans, and moral judgments are formed. In Paul’s letters it appears six times, always with reference to the battle for allegiance to Christ—either as the target of satanic interference or the object of divine protection.

Occurrences in Scripture

• 2 Corinthians 2:11 – “in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.”
• 2 Corinthians 3:14 – “But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant.”
• 2 Corinthians 4:4 – “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.”
• 2 Corinthians 10:5 – “We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
• 2 Corinthians 11:3 – “I am afraid that just as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.”
• Philippians 4:7 – “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The Mind in Spiritual Warfare

Paul treats the νοήμα as the primary theater of conflict. Terms such as “outwit,” “blinded,” and “led astray” depict an enemy actively targeting human thought. The call to “take captive every thought” places intellectual submission to Christ at the heart of Christian obedience.

Blinded Minds and Hardened Hearts

Sin produces a double barrier: hardening (2 Corinthians 3:14) and blinding (2 Corinthians 4:4). The veil motif links the inability to perceive Christ in the Old Testament with ongoing spiritual dullness, while demonic agency compounds human resistance.

Captive Thoughts and Obedience to Christ

The imagery of 2 Corinthians 10:5 reverses the value of captivity: rather than enslaving, obedience to Christ liberates the mind from deceptive strongholds. This captures Paul’s apologetic strategy—tearing down false worldviews and enthroning truth.

The Peace of God: Guardian of the Mind

Philippians 4:7 introduces a military metaphor in which divine peace stands guard over hearts and minds. Prayer, thanksgiving, and correct focus replace anxiety, demonstrating that protection of νοήματα involves spiritual disciplines, not passivity.

Historical and Cultural Background

In classical usage νοήματα denoted both thoughts and plots. Corinth’s mix of oratory, philosophy, and occult practice heightened the relevance of Paul’s term. He adapts Greek mental categories to a biblical framework that unifies cognition and moral allegiance.

Connections with Old Testament Thought

Though νοήματα is rare in the Septuagint, the Hebrew concept of “heart” (לֵב) parallels Paul’s usage: inner thought governs outward life (Proverbs 23:7). Paul extends this by locating the heart-mind under either satanic veil or Christ’s light, maintaining continuity with prophetic calls for inner renewal.

Implications for Christian Ministry

1. Apologetics must dismantle intellectual fortresses and present coherent gospel truth.
2. Discipleship centers on renewing the mind (Romans 12:2) through Scripture saturation.
3. Pastoral counseling addresses lies lodged in thought patterns, replacing them with biblical truth.
4. Intercessory prayer seeks divine illumination for blinded minds.
5. Christ-exalting worship forms corporate νοήματα, aligning congregational thought with God’s revelation.

Pastoral and Personal Application

• Guard mental intake through discerning media choices and doctrinally sound teaching.
• Identify and confess thoughts that oppose Christ.
• Practice gratitude-saturated prayer to experience the guarding peace of God.
• Memorize and meditate on Scripture, allowing it to dismantle lies and fortify truth.
• Maintain hope for unbelievers, knowing God can command light to shine in the darkest mind (2 Corinthians 4:6).

In every passage νοήμα underscores that devotion to Christ is inseparable from the stewardship of thought, calling believers to vigilant, Spirit-empowered guardianship of the inner life.

νοημα νόημα νοηματα νοήματα νοήμονες νοήμονι νοήμων νοητώς noema noēma nóema nóēma noemata noēmata noḗmataInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts