1 Corinthians 12:3 kjv
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
1 Corinthians 12:3 nkjv
Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:3 niv
Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:3 esv
Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:3 nlt
So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 12:1 | concerning spiritual gifts... | Signifies the context of spiritual activity. |
| 1 Cor 14:37 | If anyone thinks he is a prophet... | Relates to discerning true spiritual utterances. |
| Acts 2:4 | all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit | Demonstrates the Spirit's empowering presence. |
| Acts 4:8 | Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said... | Shows the Spirit's boldness in confessing Jesus. |
| Acts 20:28 | to shepherd the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. | Connects Jesus' sacrifice to the Spirit's work. |
| John 15:26 | when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father... he will testify about me. | The Spirit's role in testifying about Jesus. |
| John 16:13-14 | the Spirit of truth... will guide you into all the truth... he will glorify me. | The Spirit's illuminating and glorifying role regarding Jesus. |
| Rom 8:9 | if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him. | Identifies belonging to Christ with having the Spirit. |
| Rom 10:9 | if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord... you will be saved. | Links confession of Jesus as Lord to salvation. |
| Phil 2:11 | and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. | The universal confession of Christ's Lordship. |
| Gal 4:6 | And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" | The Spirit's role in adoption and sonship. |
| 1 John 4:2 | By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. | Distinguishing the Spirit of God. |
| 1 John 4:3 | and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist... | The antithesis to the Spirit of God in confession. |
| Matt 10:32 | So everyone who confesses me before men, I also will confess before my Father who is in heaven. | Jesus' promise to confess those who confess Him. |
| Mark 9:39 | But Jesus said, "Do not stop him, for no one is able to do mighty works in my name and then speak evil of me." | Even those performing miracles in Jesus' name can't blaspheme Him in the same breath. |
| Luke 9:1 | he gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases. | The delegation of power and authority by Jesus. |
| 1 Cor 8:6 | yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. | Affirms Jesus as Lord. |
| 1 Tim 3:16 | By great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. | Jesus' manifestation and vindication by the Spirit. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | and his gifts were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, equipping the saints for the work of ministry. | The Spirit empowering individuals for service. |
| Heb 12:22-23 | But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just made perfect. | The spiritual realm and perfected spirits. |
1 Corinthians 12 verses
1 Corinthians 12 3 Meaning
This verse declares that no one speaking by the Holy Spirit can call Jesus accursed, and conversely, that anyone can confess Jesus as Lord by the Holy Spirit. It establishes the Holy Spirit as the divine source for both true affirmation and denunciation of Jesus' lordship. It highlights that genuine acknowledgement of Jesus' divine status originates from and is empowered by the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12 3 Context
This verse is found in 1 Corinthians chapter 12, a chapter that explores spiritual gifts within the church at Corinth. The Corinthian church, like many growing communities, faced issues of pride, disunity, and misuse of spiritual gifts. There was a danger of individuals boasting in their experiences or abilities, potentially leading to envy or a sense of superiority. Paul is addressing this by grounding the validity of all spiritual expression and the ultimate confession of Jesus' Lordship in the work of the Holy Spirit. He wants them to understand that true spiritual vitality is characterized by a unified affirmation of Jesus as Lord, rather than divisive pronouncements. Historically, there was also the challenge of various religious and philosophical beliefs in Corinth, some of which might have disparaged Jesus or promoted alternative saviors.
1 Corinthians 12 3 Word Analysis
- οὐδεὶς (oudeis): "No one." A strong, emphatic negation.
- δυνάμενος (dynamenos): "Being able," "powerfully able." Present participle, suggesting an ongoing ability or state.
- ἐν (en): "In," "by," "through." Here, it signifies the agency or medium of the Holy Spirit.
- πνεύματι (pneumati): "Spirit." Refers to the Holy Spirit, the divine agent. Dative case indicating the instrumental power.
- ἁγίῳ (hagio): "Holy." The Spirit is set apart and consecrated by God.
- λέγειν (legein): "To say," "to speak." The act of utterance or declaration.
- ἀνάθεμα (anathemathem): "Accursed," "devoted to destruction," "under a curse." A strong statement of utter condemnation, often involving the offering of something to the divine, but in a negative, anathema context. This was a critical test of true spirituality in the early church, distinguishing genuine proclamation from demonic or deceptive utterance.
- Ἰησοῦν (Iesoun): "Jesus." The Name above all names. Accusative case, the object of the declaration.
- ἀνάθεμα (anathemathem) ἐστιν (estin): "[is] accursed."
- Καὶ (kai): "And." Connects the two parallel clauses.
- οὐδεὶς (oudeis): "No one." Again, emphatic negation.
- δύναται (dynatai): "Is able," "can." Present indicative of "dynamai," emphasizing present capability.
- εἰπεῖν (eipein): "To say," "to confess." Aorist infinitive, suggesting the act of saying or confessing.
- Κύριον (Kyrion): "Lord." Refers to Jesus Christ in His exalted position of authority and sovereignty. Accusative case, the object of confession.
- εἰ μὴ (ei mē): "Except," "unless," "but."
- ἐν (en): "In," "by." Signifies the sphere or power of the Holy Spirit.
- πνεύματι (pneumati): "Spirit." Refers to the Holy Spirit.
- ἁγίῳ (hagio): "Holy."
Group Analysis:
- "speaking by the Holy Spirit": This phrase establishes a divine enablement for speech, differentiating it from mere human opinion or inspired utterance from other sources. It is the Spirit of God as the direct cause and empowerer of the speech.
- "call Jesus accursed": This represents the ultimate rejection of Jesus’ divinity, mission, and salvific work. Any true spiritual utterance, inspired by God, would affirm, not condemn, Christ. Such a condemnation would come from a spirit opposed to God.
- "confess Jesus as Lord": This is the fundamental confession of the Christian faith, acknowledging Jesus' divine authority, dominion, and saving power. It is the ultimate expression of true faith.
- "by the Holy Spirit": This reiterates the same divine agency for the act of confession as for the utterance of condemnation. The Spirit enables believers to rightly identify and confess Jesus’ lordship.
1 Corinthians 12 3 Bonus Section
The context of Corinth included charismatic excesses, leading Paul to write about proper order and discernment. The practice of calling Jesus "anathema" could have stemmed from certain individuals in ecstatic states, perhaps misunderstanding divine pronouncements or reacting against Christian teachings with oppositional curses, which are then attributed to a false spirit. The stark contrast between "accursed" and "Lord" highlights the two diametrically opposed ways Jesus could be spoken about, with the Holy Spirit unequivocally on the side of divine affirmation. This affirmation is not just intellectual assent but a confession of His active lordship over one's life.
1 Corinthians 12 3 Commentary
Paul emphasizes that true spiritual speech originates from the Holy Spirit and aligns with the core Christian belief about Jesus Christ. No one genuinely moved by the Holy Spirit can declare Jesus anathema (cursed or doomed). Conversely, the ability to truly acknowledge Jesus as Lord, confessing His divine authority and salvific role, is also exclusively a work of the Holy Spirit. This verse serves as a diagnostic tool: genuine spiritual activity exalts Christ. It counters any supposed spiritual manifestations that might demean or deny Jesus' true identity or authority, highlighting the Spirit's role in revealing and affirming Christ's Lordship. This distinction is crucial for discernment in the community. It clarifies that the Spirit's purpose is always to glorify Jesus.