Noema denotes mental thoughts or the mind as directed, hardened, deceived, blinded, guarded, or brought captive.

The dominant attested use concerns the mind as the sphere that can be corrupted, hardened, blinded, or guarded; a smaller group concerns particular thoughts, whether hostile designs or thoughts taken captive. The verses present mental activity and capacity in relation to deception, understanding, obedience, and divine protection.

1. The mind under spiritual or moral influence · dominant

   The plural form occurs where minds may be corrupted after the serpent's deception in 2 Corinthians 11:3, where minds were hardened in 2 Corinthians 3:14, and where unbelieving minds were blinded in 2 Corinthians 4:4. In Philippians 4:7, the APB renders the clause that God's peace will guard "your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

   2 Corinthians 11:32 Corinthians 3:142 Corinthians 4:4Philippians 4:7
2. Particular thoughts or mental designs · common

   In 2 Corinthians 10:5, the singular accusative form stands in the action of taking every thought captive for obedience to Christ. In 2 Corinthians 2:11, the plural accusative form occurs in the statement that the speakers are not ignorant of Satan's thoughts, within the concern not to be exploited.

   2 Corinthians 10:52 Corinthians 2:11

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB variously presents the term as "thought," "thoughts," and "minds" across these verses. These renderings show the verse-level presentation rather than fixed English equivalents.