1 Corinthians 12:2 kjv
Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
1 Corinthians 12:2 nkjv
You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led.
1 Corinthians 12:2 niv
You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.
1 Corinthians 12:2 esv
You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led.
1 Corinthians 12:2 nlt
You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols.
1 Corinthians 12 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 12:2 | when you were Gentiles, you were led away to mute idols, however you were led. | Spiritually misguided |
| Ps 115:4-7 | Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. | Idolatry powerless |
| Is 44:9-11 | The makers of idols are all of them futile, and their cherished things are worthless. | Idolatry futility |
| Is 46:7 | They are round, they are arī carved, a burden to the weary beast. | Idols uselessness |
| Jer 10:14-15 | Every man is stupid and without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. | Idols shaming the craftsman |
| Jer 16:19 | O LORD, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in the day of trouble, to you shall the nations come from the ends of the earth. | Nations seeking God |
| Acts 14:15 | "Men, why do you do these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God..." | Turning from vain things |
| Acts 17:29 | "Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image crafted by human art and imagination." | God not like idols |
| Rom 1:22-23 | Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. | Exchanging glory for images |
| 1 Cor 8:4 | ...an idol has no real existence, and that there is no God but one. | No reality in idols |
| 1 John 5:21 | Little children, keep yourselves from idols. | Admonition against idols |
| Deut 4:28 | "And there you will serve gods, the work of man's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell." | Idols non-sentient |
| Josh 24:14 | "Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in truth. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD." | Putting away foreign gods |
| Ps 97:7 | May all who worship carved images be put to shame, who boast in idols... | Shame of idol worship |
| 1 Thes 1:9 | For they themselves report concerning us what a welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. | Turning from idols to God |
| Acts 19:26 | And you see and hear that not only at Ephesus but almost throughout all Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people... | Turning many from idols |
| Ps 106:35-36 | They mingled with the nations and learned their ways, and served their idols, which became a snare to them. | Nations and idols a snare |
| Isa 37:16-17 | "...turn me not over to them. For you sit in your holy house and consider the glory of Israel. ... Behold, we have burned their graven images and defiled them." | Hezekiah's prayer against idols |
| Heb 1:3 | He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his powerful word. | Christ's divine glory |
| Rev 14:9-10 | If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God's fury... | Worship of image condemned |
| Ex 20:4-5 | "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them..." | Prohibition against idols |
| Eph 4:17-18 | Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God... | Gentiles' futile minds |
1 Corinthians 12 verses
1 Corinthians 12 2 Meaning
You know that when you were Gentiles, you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. This verse clarifies that people who were not following the true God were often directed towards powerless, inanimate objects of worship, which could not communicate or provide guidance. This emphasis on being "led astray" highlights a deceptive spiritual influence operating in the lives of those without Christ.
1 Corinthians 12 2 Context
In 1 Corinthians chapter 12, Paul begins to discuss spiritual gifts within the church at Corinth. The preceding chapter dealt with proper worship, particularly regarding speaking in tongues and prophecy, and the role of women. In chapter 11, there was disorder and a lack of discernment in their understanding and practice of these spiritual manifestations. Chapter 12 addresses the diversity of spiritual gifts and their unity in the body of Christ, emphasizing that all gifts originate from the one Spirit and are for the common good. This particular verse serves as a contrast, reminding the Corinthian believers of their former spiritual state before they came to Christ. It underscores that their new spiritual experiences are radically different from their past reliance on mute idols. The audience, the Corinthian church, was composed of both Jews and Gentiles, and Paul often addressed the unique challenges faced by each group in understanding Christian doctrine and practice.
1 Corinthians 12 2 Word Analysis
"Moreover": This is a transitional word (Greek:
de) that indicates a connection or continuation from the previous discussion, but also a shift or clarification."you were": Refers to the past state of the Corinthian believers who were formerly Gentiles.
"Gentiles": (Greek:
ethne) This term refers to the non-Jewish people. In this context, it signifies those who were outside the covenant of Israel and their religious practices, which often included idolatry."led away": (Greek:
apago) Literally means "to lead away," "to take away," or "to carry off." It implies being drawn or enticed into something, often against one's better judgment or by deception. It suggests a lack of autonomous spiritual direction, being passive recipients of influence."to mute idols": (Greek:
eidolon phonetos)eidolon: (idol) Refers to an image or likeness used as an object of worship. It can also represent a false god or an object of excessive devotion.phonetos: (mute, speechless, sounding) In its context here with idols, it strongly implies an inability to speak, communicate, or give utterance. This contrasts sharply with the gift of speaking in tongues or prophecy mentioned later in the chapter, which are divinely inspired utterances. The powerlessness of idols is highlighted.
"however you were led": (Greek:
ean posorhos ean pos) This phrase is significant. It can be interpreted as "however you might have been led" or "in whatever way you were led." It acknowledges that the methods of leading people astray by idols could vary. It suggests that the influence could be subtle or overt, persuasive or coercive, but the destination was always towards spiritual lifelessness and deception. It can also carry a nuance of doubt about the nature of that guidance, implying it was not genuine or authoritative guidance.Group of words: "led away to mute idols": This entire phrase encapsulates the state of being under the dominion of false worship. It highlights the passive role of the person being led and the deadness and incommunicability of the object of worship. It directly contrasts with being "led by the Spirit" which is a core theme of the chapter. The "muteness" emphasizes the ultimate futility and deception of idolatrous practices, as these "gods" could offer no true spiritual life, guidance, or response.
1 Corinthians 12 2 Bonus Section
The concept of "mute idols" is prevalent throughout the Old Testament, where prophets frequently condemn idolatry by emphasizing the lifelessness and inability of idols to act or speak (Psalm 115:4-7; Isaiah 44:9-20). Paul, by using this expression, connects the Corinthian believers' past with the foundational understanding of idolatry presented in Scripture. The ability to "speak" or "utter" (Greek: phone) is intrinsically linked to life and divine interaction in the biblical narrative. The Holy Spirit, conversely, empowers believers with utterance through prophecy, tongues, and teaching, all of which are forms of divine communication meant to build up the church. This verse thus sets up the fundamental difference between the spirit of error that guided the Gentiles and the Spirit of Truth that guides believers.
1 Corinthians 12 2 Commentary
This verse serves as a potent reminder to the Gentile believers in Corinth about the stark contrast between their former lives of idolatry and their new life in Christ. They were once enslaved to spiritual forces that were essentially powerless and incapable of true communication, being "led astray." This inability of idols to speak underscores their non-divine nature and the deception inherent in their worship. The passage prepares the ground for understanding true spiritual gifts that come from the one living God, which do enable communication and edification within the community of believers. The emphasis on being "led" by false powers contrasts with being led by the Holy Spirit, the true source of spiritual life and gifts discussed in this chapter.
- Practical Application: Believers today can examine whether they are being "led" by worldly values, self-serving desires, or anything that ultimately offers no true spiritual nourishment or guidance, much like mute idols. True spiritual leadership and discernment come from the Holy Spirit, who communicates God's truth and empowers believers.