Quick Definition
taking down, destroying
Strong's Definition
demolition; figuratively, extinction
Derivation: from G2507 (καθαιρέω);
KJV Usage: destruction, pulling down
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
καθαίρεσις, καθαιρεσεως, ἡ (καθαιρέω, which see), a pulling down, destruction, demolition: ὀχυρωμάτων (A. V. of strongholds), 2Co_10:4 (τῶν τειχῶν, Xenophon, Hell. 2, 2, 15; 5, 1, 35; Polybius 23, 7, 6; Diodorus excerpt. leg. 13; destructio murorum, Suetonius, Galba 12); εἰς οἰκοδομήν καί οὐκ εἰς καθαίρεσιν ὑμῶν, for building up (increasing) not for casting down (the extinction of) the godly, upright, blessed life you lead in fellowship with Christ (see οἰκοδομή, 1): 2Co_10:8; 2Co_13:10. (From Thucydides down.)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
καθαίρεσις kathairesis 3x
tearing down, destruction, 2Co_10:4 ; 2Co_10:8 ; 2Co_13:10
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
καθ -αίρεσις , -εως , ἡ
( < καθαιρέω ),
[in LXX : Exo_23:24 ( H2040 ), 1Ma_3:43 * ;]
a pulling down, destruction: fig ., κ . ὀχυρωμάτων , 2Co_10:4 ; opp . to οἰκοδομή , 2Co_10:8 ; 2Co_13:10 .†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
καθαίρεσις [page 310]
P Magd 9 (iii/B.C.), containing a request by a certain ἰσιονόμος or possessor of a shrine of Isis, that the sanctuary should be repaired, is entitled on the verso Ἐποῆρις Πανῆτος περὶ καθαιρέσεως Ἰσιείου , Ιpoθris, femme de Panθs, au sujet d un sanctuaire d Isis qui menace ruine. See also Syll 587 .76 (B.C. 329 8) μισθωτε [ῖ ] . . . οἰκοῦ (ν )τι τῆς καθαιρέσεως τῶν οἰκοπέδων τῆς ἱερᾶς οἰκίας , Michel 823 .2 (B.C. 220) λόγος τῶν αἱρεθέντων ὑπὸ τοῦ δήμου ἐπὶ τὴν καθαίρεσιν καὶ τὴν ἐπισκευὴν τῶν ἐν τῶι Ἀσκληπιείωι .
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
καθαίρεσις καθαίρεσις, εως [Etym: καθαιρέω] "a pulling down, rasing to the ground", Thuc. , Xen. : "destruction", NTest.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
καθ-αίρεσις, -εως, ἡ
(καθαιρέω), [in LXX: Exo.23:24 (הָרַס), 1Ma.3:43 * ;]
a pulling down, destruction: figuratively, κ. ὀχυρωμάτων, 2Co.10:4; opposite to οἰκοδομή, 2Co.10:8 13:10.†
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Destruction (2506) kathairesis
Destruction (2506) (kathairesis from kathaireo = to take down) means literally a taking down, and so a demolition or destruction results. Obviously Paul uses kathairesis figuratively here to describe the tearing down of knowledge especially that which is anti-God or counter to what is presented by His Word of Truth.
Here are the 3 other uses of kathairesis in Scripture...
Exodus 23:24 "You shall not worship their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their deeds; but you shall utterly overthrow them, and break their sacred pillars in pieces. -- Describes the demolition of pagan gods and their worship.
2Corinthians 10:8 For even if I should boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I shall not be put to shame,
2Corinthians 13:10 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, in order that when present I may not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me, for building up and not for tearing down.