1 Corinthians 12:3

3. The negative and positive criteria of inspiration by the Spirit--the rejection or confession of Jesus as Lord [Alford] (1Jo 4:2; 5:1). Paul gives a test of truth against the Gentiles; John, against the false prophets. by the Spirit--rather, as Greek, "IN the Spirit"; that being the power pervading him, and the element in which he speaks [Alford], (Mt 16:17; Joh 15:26). of God ... Holy--The same Spirit is called at one time "the Spirit of God"; at another, "the HOLY Ghost," or "Holy Spirit." Infinite Holiness is almost synonymous with Godhead. speaking ... say--"Speak" implies the act of utterance; "say" refers to that which is uttered. Here, "say" means a spiritual and believing confession of Him. Jesus--not an abstract doctrine, but the historical, living God-man (Ro 10:9). accursed--as the Jews and Gentiles treated Him (Ga 3:13). Compare "to curse Christ" in the heathen Pliny's letter [Epistles, 10.97]. The spiritual man feels Him to be the Source of all blessings (Ep 1:3) and to be severed from Him is to be accursed (Ro 9:3). Lord--acknowledging himself as His servant (Is 26:13). "Lord" is the Septuagint translation for the incommunicable Hebrew name Jehovah.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Verse 3. Wherefore I give you to understand. I make known to you. The force of this expression is, I give you this rule to distinguish, or by which you may know what influences and operations are from God. The design of the passage is to give them some simple general guide by which they could at once recognize the operations of the Spirit of God, and determine whether they who claimed to be under that operation were really so. That rule was, that all who were truly influenced by the Holy Ghost would be disposed to acknowledge and to know Jesus Christ; and where this disposition existed, it was of itself a clear demonstration that it was the operation of the Spirit of God. The same rule substantially is given by John, (1Jn 4:2,) by which to test the nature of the spirit by which men profess to be influenced: "Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every, spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God." Mt 16:17.

That no man. No one, (ουδεις). It may refer to a man, or to demons, or to those who pretended to be under inspiration of any kind. And it may refer to the Jews who may have pretended to be under the influence of God's Spirit, and who yet anathematized and cursed the name of Jesus. Or it may be intended simply as a general rule; meaning, that if any one, whoever he might be, should blaspheme the name of Jesus, whatever were his pretensions, whether professing to be under the influence of the Holy Spirit among the Jews, or to be inspired among the Gentiles, it was full proof that he was an impostor. The argument is, that the Holy Spirit in all instances would do honour to Jesus Christ, and would prompt all who were under his influence to love and reverence his name.

Speaking by the Spirit of God. Under the influence of inspiration.

Calleth. Says, or would say; that is, no such one would use the language of anathema in regard to him.

Accursed. Marg., Anathema, (αναθεμα). Acts 23:14. Rom 9:3. Compare 1Cor 16:22, Gal 1:8,9. The word is one of execration, or cursing; and means, that no one under the influence of the Holy Spirit could curse the name of Jesus, or denounce him as execrable, and as an impostor. The effect of the influences of the Spirit would be, in all instances, to inspire reverence for his name and work. It is probable that the Jews were here principally intended, since there is a bitterness and severity in the language which accords with all their expressions of feeling towards Jesus of Nazareth. It is possible also, and indeed probable, that the priests and priestesses of the pagan gods, who pretended to be under the influence of inspiration, might denounce the name of Jesus, because they would all be opposed to the purity of his religion.

And that no man can say, etc. That is, that it cannot occur, or even happen, that any one will acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah who is not influenced by the Holy Ghost. The meaning is not that no one has physical ability to say that Jesus is Lord unless aided by the Holy Ghost, since all men can say this; but that no one will be disposed heartily to say it; no one will acknowledge him as their Lord; it can never happen that any one will confess him as the true Messiah who has not been brought to this state by the agency of the Holy Ghost.

Is the Lord. Is the Messiah; or shall acknowledge him as their Lord.

But by the Holy Ghost. Unless he is influenced by the Holy Spirit. This is a very important verse, not only in regard to the particular subject under consideration in the time of Paul, but also in its practical bearing at present. We may learn from it,

(1.) that it is a proof that any man is under the influence of the Holy Spirit who is heartily disposed to honour the name and work of Jesus Christ.

(2.) Those forms and modes of religion, those religious opinions and practices, will be most in accordance with the designs of the Spirit of God, which do most to honour the name and work of Jesus Christ.

(3.) It is true that no man will ever cherish a proper regard for Jesus Christ, nor love his name and work, unless he is influenced by the Holy Ghost. No man loves the name and work of the Redeemer by following simply the inclinations of his own corrupt heart. In all instances of those who have been brought to a willingness to honour him, it has been by the agency of the Holy Ghost.

(4.) If any man, in any way, is disposed to disparage the work of Christ, to speak lightly of his person or his name, or holds doctrines that infringe on the fairness of the truth respecting his Divine nature, his purity, his atonement, it is proof that he is not under the influence of the Spirit of God. Just in proportion as he shall disparage that work or name, just in that proportion does he live evidence that he is not influenced by the Divine Spirit; but by proud reason, or by imagination, or by a heart that is not reconciled to God.

(5.) All true religion is the production of the Holy Spirit. For religion consists essentially in a willingness to honour, and love, and serve the Lord Jesus Christ; and where that exists, it is produced by the Holy Spirit.

(6.) The influence of the Holy Spirit should be cherished. To grieve away that Spirit is to drive all proper knowledge of the Redeemer from the soul; to do this is to leave the heart to coldness, and darkness, and barrenness, and spiritual death.

(a) "speaking by the Spirit" Mk 9:39, 1Jn 4:2,3 (1) "accursed" "anathema" (b) "that no man" Mt 16:17 (*) "Holy Ghost" "Spirit"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Verse 3 No man speaking by the Spirit of God - It was granted on all hands that there could be no religion without Divine inspiration, because God alone, could make his will known to men: hence heathenism pretended to this inspiration; Judaism had it in the law and the prophets; and it was the very essence of the Christian religion. The heathen priests and priestesses pretended to receive, by inspiration from their god, the answers which they gave to their votaries. And as far as the people believed their pretensions, so far they were led by their teaching. Both Judaism and heathenism were full of expectations of a future teacher and deliverer; and to this person, especially among the Jews, the Spirit in all the prophets gave witness. This was the Anointed One, the Messiah who was manifested in the person of Jesus of Nazareth; and him the Jews rejected, though he proved his Divine mission both by his doctrines and his miracles. But as he did not come as they fancied he would - as a mighty secular conqueror, they not only rejected but blasphemed him; and persons among them professing to be spiritual men, and under the influence of the Spirit of God, did so. But as the Holy Spirit, through all the law and the prophets gave Testimony to the Messiah, and as Jesus proved himself to be the Christ both by his miracles and doctrines, no man under the inspiration of the Divine Spirit could say to him anathema - thou art a deceiver, and a person worthy of death, etc., as the Jews did: therefore the Jews were no longer under the inspiration of the Spirit of God. This appears to be the meaning of the apostle in this place. No man speaking by the Spirit, etc. And that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord - Nor can we demonstrate this person to be the Messiah and the Savior of men, but by the Holy Ghost, enabling us to speak with divers tongues, to work miracles; he attesting the truth of our doctrines to them that hear, by enlightening their minds, changing their hearts, and filling them with the peace and love of God.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain