What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 12:3? Therefore I inform you Paul has just finished reminding the believers at Corinth of their past life among mute idols (1 Corinthians 12:2). Now he says, “Therefore I inform you …,” signaling a pastoral correction: • He wants them to distinguish true spiritual activity from counterfeit. • The phrase shows loving concern—he is not scolding but guiding (compare Acts 20:28). • By placing this teaching at the start of the gifts discourse (12:4-11), Paul grounds every manifestation in its relationship to Jesus Himself. no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed” • Any utterance that demeans or repudiates Christ cannot originate with the Holy Spirit. • John draws the same line: “Every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God” (1 John 4:3). • Even dramatic supernatural signs (Matthew 7:22-23) are meaningless if they deny the Lord. • The Spirit’s role is to glorify Jesus (John 15:26; 16:14). Therefore, cursing Him is proof the source is something—or someone—else. and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” • Saying “Lord” is not mere syllables; it is a confession of worship, surrender, and loyalty (Romans 10:9-10). • In Scripture, calling Jesus “Lord” places Him on the throne of deity (Philippians 2:11), the very name Yahweh shares (Isaiah 45:23). • This confession separates believers from the surrounding pagan culture where Caesar claimed lordship (Acts 17:7). • It also unites every member of the body, no matter the gift, under the same Head (Ephesians 4:5). except by the Holy Spirit • The Spirit opens blind eyes to see Christ’s glory (2 Corinthians 4:4-6). • He gifts repentance and faith (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). • Without His inner work, spiritual truths seem “foolish” (1 Corinthians 2:14). • Therefore, genuine confession of Jesus’ lordship becomes the foundational evidence of the Spirit’s presence, more critical than any spectacular gift. summary 1 Corinthians 12:3 anchors all talk of spiritual gifts in loyalty to Jesus. Any voice that belittles Him is exposed as unspiritual, while every sincere confession of His lordship testifies to the Spirit’s transforming power. Spiritual authenticity, then, is measured first by exaltation of Christ, not by outward impressiveness. |
    |