1 Corinthians 12:2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

◄ 1 Corinthians 12:2 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

English Standard Version
You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led.

New American Standard Bible
You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led.

King James Bible
Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You know that when you were pagans, you used to be led off to the idols that could not speak.

International Standard Version
You know that when you were unbelievers, you were enticed and led astray to worship idols that couldn't even speak.

American Standard Version
Ye know that when ye were Gentiles ye were led away unto those dumb idols, howsoever ye might led.

Douay-Rheims Bible
You know that when you were heathens, you went to dumb idols, according as you were led.

Darby Bible Translation
Ye know that when ye were of the nations ye were led away to dumb idols, in whatever way ye might be led.

Young's Literal Translation
ye have known that ye were nations, unto the dumb idols -- as ye were led -- being carried away;

Cross References

Psalm 115:5
They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:

Isaiah 46:7
They bear him on the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he stands; from his place shall he not remove: yes, one shall cry to him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.

Jeremiah 10:5
They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

Habakkuk 2:18
What profits the graven image that the maker thereof has graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusts therein, to make dumb idols?

1 Corinthians 6:11
And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Ephesians 2:11
Why remember, that you being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

1 Thessalonians 1:9
For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

1 Peter 4:3
For the time past of our life may suffice us to have worked the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revelings, parties, and abominable idolatries:

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

12:1-11 Spiritual gifts were extraordinary powers bestowed in the first ages, to convince unbelievers, and to spread the gospel. Gifts and graces greatly differ. Both were freely given of God. But where grace is given, it is for the salvation of those who have it. Gifts are for the advantage and salvation of others; and there may be great gifts where there is no grace. The extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit were chiefly exercised in the public assemblies, where the Corinthians seem to have made displays of them, wanting in the spirit of piety, and of Christian love. While heathens, they had not been influenced by the Spirit of Christ. No man can call Christ Lord, with believing dependence upon him, unless that faith is wrought by the Holy Ghost. No man could believe with his heart, or prove by a miracle, that Jesus was Christ, unless by the Holy Ghost. There are various gifts, and various offices to perform, but all proceed from one God, one Lord, one Spirit; that is, from the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the origin of all spiritual blessings. No man has them merely for himself. The more he profits others, the more will they turn to his own account. The gifts mentioned appear to mean exact understanding, and uttering the doctrines of the Christian religion; the knowledge of mysteries, and skill to give advice and counsel. Also the gift of healing the sick, the working of miracles, and to explain Scripture by a peculiar gift of the Spirit, and ability to speak and interpret languages. If we have any knowledge of the truth, or any power to make it known, we must give all the glory of God. The greater the gifts are, the more the possessor is exposed to temptations, and the larger is the measure of grace needed to keep him humble and spiritual; and he will meet with more painful experiences and humbling dispensations. We have little cause to glory in any gifts bestowed on us, or to despise those who have them not.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

2. (Eph 2:11).

that ye were—The best manuscripts read, "That WHEN ye were"; thus "ye were" must be supplied before "carried away"—Ye were blindly transported hither and thither at the will of your false guides.

these dumb idols—Greek, "the idols which are dumb"; contrasted with the living God who "speaks" in the believer by His Spirit (1Co 12:3, &c.). This gives the reason why the Corinthians needed instruction as to spiritual gifts, namely, their past heathen state, wherein they had no experience of intelligent spiritual powers. When blind, ye went to the dumb.

as ye were led—The Greek is, rather, "as ye might (happen to) be led," namely, on different occasions. The heathen oracles led their votaries at random, without any definite principle.