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 in other translations
| BSB | You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. |
|---|---|
| WEB | You know that when you were heathen, you were led away to those mute idols, however you might be led. |
| ASV | Ye know that when ye were Gentiles ye were led away unto those dumb idols, howsoever ye might be led. |
| YLT | ye have known that ye were nations, unto the dumb idols--as ye were led--being carried away; |
| DARBY | Ye know that when ye were of the nations ye were led away to dumb idols, in whatever way ye might be led. |
| BBE | You are conscious that when you were Gentiles, in whatever way you were guided, you went after images without voice or power. |
| Webster | Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, even as ye were led. |
What does 1 Corinthians 12:2 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
Ye know, etc. This verse is regarded by many as a parenthesis. But it is not necessary to suppose that it is so, or that it does not cohere with that which follows. The design seems to be to remind them of their former miserable condition as idolaters, in order to make them more sensible of their advantages as Christians, and that they might be led more highly to appreciate their present condition. Paul often refers Christians to their former condition, to excite in them gratitude for the mercies that God has conferred on them in the gospel. 1Cor 6:11. Comp. Rom 6:17, Eph 2:11,12; Tit 3:3.
That ye were Gentiles. Heathen; worshippers of idols. The idea is, that they were pagans; that they had no Knowledge of the true God, but were sunk in miserable superstition and idolatry.
Carried away. Led along; that is, deluded by your passions, deluded by your priests, deluded by your vain and splendid rites of worship. The whole system made an appeal to the senses, and bore along its rotaries as if by a foreign and irresistible impulse. The word which is used (απαγομενοι) conveys, properly, the idea of being carried into bondage, or being led to punishment; and refers here, doubtless, to the strong means which had been used by crafty politicians and priests in their former state to delude and deceive them.
Unto these dumb idols. These idols which could not speak--an attribute which is often given to them, to show the folly of worshipping them, Ps 115:5, 135:15, Hab 2:18,19. The ancient priests and politicians deluded the people with the notion that oracles were uttered by the idols whom they worshipped, and thus they maintained the belief in their divinity. The idea of Paul here seems to be,
(1.) that their idols never could have uttered the oracles which were ascribed to them, and consequently that they had been deluded.
(2.) That these idols could never have endowed them with such spiritual privileges as they now had, and consequently that their present state was far preferable to their former condition.
Even as ye were led. Were led by the priests in the temples of the idols. They were under strong delusions, and the arts of cunning and unprincipled men. The idea is, that they had been under a strong infatuation, and were entirely at the control of their spiritual leaders--a description remarkably applicable now to all forms of imposture in the world. No System of paganism consults the freedom and independence of the mind of man; but it is everywhere characterized as a system of power, and not of thought; and all its arrangements are made to secure that power without an intelligent assent of the understanding and the heart.
(a) "dumb idols" 1Thes 1:9
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 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…
1 Corinthians 12:2 in the original Greek
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Cross references for 1 Corinthians 12:2
- 1 Peter 4:3
For 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 Thessalonians 1:9
For 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;
- Psalms 115:5
They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
- Galatians 4:8
Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
- Ephesians 2:11-12
Wherefore 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; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
- 1 Corinthians 6:11
And 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.
- 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 2:18-19
What 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? Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.
- Ephesians 4:17-18
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
- Psalms 115:7
They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
- Matthew 15:14
Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
- Isaiah 46:7
They 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.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- 1 Corinthians 12:1
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
- 1 Corinthians 12:2
Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
- 1 Corinthians 12:3
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 12:2 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Sabéis que cuando erais Gentiles, ibais, como erais llevados, á los ídolos mudos. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Vous savez que, quand vous étiez gens des nations, vous étiez entraînés vers les idoles muettes, selon que vous étiez menés. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Ihr wisset, daß ihr, als ihr von den Nationen waret, zu den stummen Götzenbildern hingeführt wurdet, wie ihr irgend geleitet wurdet. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Scitis quoniam cum gentes essetis, ad simulacra muta prout ducebamini euntes. |