1 Corinthians 12:2 Meaning and Explanation
“Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul reminds them of their pagan past, when they were drawn after voiceless idols that could neither speak nor save.
What Does 1 Corinthians 12:2 Mean?
Before naming the marks of the true Spirit, Paul recalls what his readers were saved from. As Gentiles they had once been 'carried away' to idols that were 'dumb' -- mute, lifeless things that gave no real word from God.
The contrast is deliberate. Idols are silent, but the living God speaks. Whatever spiritual experience the Corinthians once knew in paganism was a leading astray; now the Spirit leads them toward truth. Remembering the emptiness of where we came from makes the voice of the true God all the more precious.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 12:2
What does 1 Corinthians 12:2 mean?
Paul reminds them of their pagan past, when they were drawn after voiceless idols that could neither speak nor save.