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1 Corinthians 12:2

Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
1 Corinthians 12:2 · King James Version
Parallel translations
  • WEB You know that when you were heathen, you were led away to those mute idols, however you might be led.
  • BSB You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.
  • NKJV You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led.
  • NASB You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led.
  • NLT You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

Paul reminds them that as pagans they were led astray to mute, lifeless idols. Their former blindness contrasts with the Spirit's true leading.

Overview

Recalling their pagan past, Paul notes they were once enticed toward speechless idols, powerless and dumb. This contrast sets up his teaching on the Spirit who genuinely speaks and leads. It reminds the Corinthians of the deliverance the gospel brought and prepares them to discern the difference between counterfeit spiritual experience and the work of God's Spirit.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 15

  • 1 Pet 4:3For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
  • 1 Th 1:9For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
  • Ps 115:5They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
  • Gal 4:8Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
  • Eph 2:11–12Wherefore remember, that ye 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 Cor 6:11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
  • Jer 10:5They 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.
  • Hab 2:18–19What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?
  • Ps 115:7They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
  • Eph 4:17–18This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
  • Matt 15:14Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
  • Isa 46:7They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
  • Titus 3:3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
  • Ps 135:16They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
  • 1 Pet 1:18Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

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Christ at the center

Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.

How 1 Corinthians 12:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

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