1 Corinthians 12:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore {G1352} I give {G1107} you {G5213} to understand {G1107}, that {G3754} no man {G3762} speaking {G2980} by {G1722} the Spirit {G4151} of God {G2316} calleth {G3004} Jesus {G2424} accursed {G331}: and {G2532} that no man {G3762} can {G1410} say {G2036} that Jesus {G2424} is the Lord {G2962}, but {G1508} by {G1722} the Holy {G40} Ghost {G4151}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, I want to make it clear to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says, “Yeshua is cursed!” and no one can say, “Yeshua is Lord,” except by the Ruach HaKodesh.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore I inform you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

American Standard Version

Wherefore I make known unto you, that no man speaking in the Spirit of God saith, Jesus is anathema; and no man can say, Jesus is Lord, but in the Holy Spirit.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Corinthians 12:3 serves as a foundational declaration by the Apostle Paul, providing a crucial test for discerning the authenticity of spiritual utterances within the Corinthian church. It unequivocally states that genuine confession of Jesus as Lord is solely empowered by the Holy Spirit, while any declaration of Jesus as accursed originates from a spirit contrary to God, thereby establishing the centrality of Christ's Lordship as the ultimate criterion for true spiritual activity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse opens Paul's extensive discourse on spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12-14. Following his correction of various moral and theological issues in the preceding chapters (e.g., divisions, immorality, lawsuits, marriage, food sacrificed to idols, proper conduct in worship), Paul now addresses the confusion and potential disorder surrounding spiritual manifestations in Corinth. The immediate context of [1 Corinthians 12:1-3](/1_corinthians/12-1-3 "1 Corinthians 12:1-3 - Introduction to Spiritual Gifts") clarifies that Paul wants the Corinthians to be informed, not ignorant, about spiritual matters. Verse 3 acts as a critical theological filter, establishing the baseline for all subsequent discussion on the diversity of gifts (e.g., [1 Corinthians 12:4-11](/1_corinthians/12-4-11 "1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - Diversity of Gifts, Unity of Spirit")) and their proper function within the unified body of Christ. It precedes the analogy of the body and its many members, emphasizing that all true spiritual expressions ultimately point to and honor Jesus Christ.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Corinthian church was a vibrant but problematic community, situated in a bustling, cosmopolitan city known for its diverse religious practices, pagan temples, and philosophical schools. In this environment, ecstatic utterances and claims of divine inspiration were common, not only among Christians but also in pagan cults (e.g., the Delphic oracle). Some converts from paganism might have brought their previous experiences of spirit possession or ecstatic speech into the church, leading to confusion about the source and nature of Christian spiritual manifestations. There might have been instances where individuals, perhaps under the influence of false spirits or their own unregenerate desires, uttered blasphemies against Jesus, or conversely, struggled to articulate His Lordship in a way that truly honored Him. Paul's instruction provides a clear, Christ-centered standard to navigate these cultural and spiritual complexities, ensuring that Christian worship remained distinct and true to its foundational beliefs, especially in a context where "lord" (κύριος) could refer to many deities or even Caesar.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within 1 Corinthians and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it underscores **The Sovereignty and Necessity of the Holy Spirit** in Christian life and confession. True faith and genuine spiritual expression are not human achievements but divine empowerments, as seen in the Spirit's role in transformation (e.g., [Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Regeneration by the Holy Spirit")). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Spiritual Discernment**, providing a crucial test for evaluating the source and veracity of spiritual claims, a theme echoed in [1 John 4:1-3](/1_john/4-1-3 "1 John 4:1-3 - Test the Spirits"). This discernment is vital for protecting the church from false teaching and deception. Lastly, and most centrally, it establishes **The Absolute Lordship of Jesus Christ** as the non-negotiable core of Christian confession and identity. The declaration "Jesus is Lord" was the earliest Christian creed, a profound theological and political statement in the Roman world, asserting Christ's supreme authority over all other "lords" and powers, a truth fundamental to the gospel message found throughout [Romans 10:9-10](/romans/10-9-10 "Romans 10:9-10 - Confession and Belief for Salvation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **accursed (Greek, _anáthema'_):** From G331, this term signifies something "devoted to destruction, set apart for evil, or utterly condemned." In the Old Testament, anathema (Hebrew _cherem_) referred to something devoted to God, often for destruction (e.g., Jericho in [Joshua 6:17](/joshua/6-17 "Joshua 6:17 - The Ban on Jericho")). Here, it is used in its negative sense, implying a complete separation from God's blessing and a state of divine condemnation. To call Jesus "accursed" is the ultimate blasphemy, a direct rejection of His divine nature and redemptive work.
* **Lord (Greek, _kýrios'_):** From G2962, this word denotes "supreme in authority" or "controller," serving as a respectful title for a master or, significantly, for God Himself in the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament). When applied to Jesus, "Kyrios" declares His divine sovereignty, His identity as God, and His rightful claim to absolute authority over all creation. This confession is the antithesis of calling Him accursed and is the hallmark of true faith.
* **Spirit (Greek, _pneûma'_):** From G4151, this term refers to a "current of air, i.e., breath," and by analogy or figuratively, "a spirit." In this context, with the definite article and often capitalized in English translations, it refers to the Holy Spirit (G40 + G4151), the third person of the Trinity. The Spirit is the divine agent who illuminates hearts, reveals truth, and empowers believers to confess Jesus's Lordship, making such a confession not merely intellectual but spiritually authentic and salvific.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore I give you to understand":** Paul begins by emphasizing the importance and clarity of his forthcoming instruction. The phrase "I give you to understand" (Greek G1107, _gnōrízō_) means "to make known" or "to certify," indicating that Paul is providing a definitive, authoritative statement that the Corinthians need to grasp fully. He is not merely suggesting but declaring a fundamental truth about spiritual discernment.
* **"that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed":** This clause presents the negative test. It establishes a clear boundary: any utterance that blasphemes Jesus by calling Him "accursed" (Greek G331, _anáthema_) cannot possibly originate from the Holy Spirit. This directly counters any potential confusion or deception within the Corinthian church, where some might have claimed spiritual inspiration while uttering words contrary to Christ's honor. The Spirit of God always glorifies Christ, never condemns Him.
* **"and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost":** This clause presents the positive and indispensable test. It asserts that the confession "Jesus is Lord" (Greek G2962, _kýrios_) is not a humanly achievable declaration of faith but a divinely enabled one. The phrase "but by the Holy Ghost" (Greek G1508 _ei mḗ_ + G1722 _en_ + G40 _hágios_ + G4151 _pneûma_) indicates that the Holy Spirit is the sole and necessary agent empowering this confession. This highlights the Spirit's role in regeneration, illumination, and enabling genuine faith, making the confession of Christ's Lordship the definitive sign of true spiritual life and divine inspiration.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs a powerful use of **Antithesis** in this verse, contrasting two diametrically opposed statements: calling Jesus "accursed" versus confessing Him as "Lord." This stark contrast serves to clarify the absolute distinction between spirits that are of God and those that are not. The device of antithesis creates a clear, unmistakable criterion for discernment, leaving no room for ambiguity. Furthermore, there is an element of **Exclusion** in the repeated "no man can..." and "but by the Holy Ghost," which emphasizes the exclusive nature of the Holy Spirit's work in enabling true confession. This highlights the divine origin of genuine faith and spiritual utterance, underscoring that such profound spiritual truths are not accessible through human effort or intellect alone, but solely through divine intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a cornerstone for understanding the nature of true Christian confession and the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit in salvation. It reveals that the declaration of Jesus's Lordship is not merely a theological statement but a Spirit-empowered spiritual reality, foundational to genuine faith and indicative of a saving relationship with God. This truth underscores the Spirit's work in illuminating hearts, convicting of sin, and enabling believers to acknowledge Christ's supreme authority, thereby establishing the authenticity of their spiritual experience and the divine origin of their faith.

* [Romans 10:9](/romans/10-9 "Romans 10:9 - Confess and Believe")
* [John 16:13-14](/john/16-13-14 "John 16:13-14 - The Spirit Glorifies Christ")
* [1 John 4:2-3](/1_john/4-2-3 "1 John 4:2-3 - Discernment of Spirits")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 12:3 offers profound implications for contemporary believers, urging us to cultivate both spiritual discernment and authentic faith. In a world saturated with diverse spiritual claims and teachings, this verse provides an unchanging plumb line: does a message, a movement, or an individual's spiritual expression genuinely exalt Jesus Christ as Lord? It challenges us to look beyond outward manifestations or charismatic displays and to assess the core confession regarding Jesus. For the individual believer, it serves as a powerful reminder that our ability to truly confess Jesus as Lord is a miraculous work of the Holy Spirit within us, a testament to our regeneration and adoption into God's family. This should foster both humility and profound gratitude, recognizing that our faith is not self-generated but divinely enabled. It also calls us to prayerfully seek the Spirit's guidance in all matters of faith and practice, ensuring that our lives and ministries consistently honor the supreme Lordship of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth that "no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost" deepen your appreciation for your own faith and confession?**
* **In what ways can we apply the principle of discerning spirits based on their stance toward Jesus's Lordship in our contemporary context?**
* **What are the practical implications of understanding the Holy Spirit's indispensable role in enabling true Christian confession for evangelism and discipleship?**

### FAQ
**Why would someone in the Corinthian church call Jesus "accursed"?**

Answer: While the exact circumstances are debated by scholars, there are several possibilities. Some suggest that former pagans, accustomed to ecstatic utterances in their previous cults, might have continued such practices in the church, and in their unregenerate state or under the influence of false spirits, might have uttered blasphemies. Others propose that Jewish opponents of Christianity might have used the charge of "accursed" against Jesus, perhaps referencing [Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Deuteronomy 21:23 - Cursed is the one hung on a tree") to argue that anyone crucified was under God's curse, thus trying to undermine Jesus's divine claims. Paul's statement here clarifies that such a declaration, regardless of its source, is antithetical to the Spirit of God and serves as a vital test for discerning genuine spiritual inspiration from false or demonic influence within the community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 12:3 profoundly points to Christ by establishing His Lordship as the ultimate criterion for all authentic spiritual activity, revealing that the Holy Spirit's primary mission is to glorify Jesus. This verse foreshadows the New Covenant reality where the Spirit, poured out at Pentecost ([Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1-4 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Day of Pentecost")), enables believers to confess Jesus as the resurrected and exalted Lord, a truth that was once hidden but now revealed. The Spirit's work in enabling this confession directly fulfills the prophetic promises of a new heart and a new spirit (e.g., [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - New Heart and Spirit")), transforming individuals from those who might curse or reject Christ into those who wholeheartedly acknowledge His divine authority. This Spirit-empowered confession is the very essence of salvation, as articulated in [Romans 10:9](/romans/10-9 "Romans 10:9 - Confession for Salvation"), where belief in the heart and confession with the mouth lead to salvation. Therefore, this verse is not merely about spiritual discernment but about the Spirit's role in bringing humanity into a saving relationship with the Christ who is Lord of all, ultimately culminating in the universal confession of [Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow"), where every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 John 4:2

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

1 John 4:3

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Matthew 16:16

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Matthew 16:17

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Romans 10:9

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

2 Corinthians 3:5

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of God;

John 13:13

Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for [so] I am.