1 Corinthians 12:3

Wherefore The connection of thought is as follows. When you were heathen you were carried hither and thither by the pretended utterances of your gods, and believed whatever they might tell you. But now you must no longer be the sport of circumstances. There are certain fundamental principles by which you may try the utterances of those who would teach you. Cf. an extremely similar passage in 1 John 4:1-3. This caution was very necessary in the infant Church. In spite of the warnings of St Paul and St John, many were entrapped by the blasphemous ravings of men like Simon Magus, Menander and the Ophites (or Naassenes, worshippers of the serpent), as we learn from the writings of Irenaeus and Hippolytus. Cf. 1 John 2:19.

by the Spirit of God Literally, in the Spirit; i.e. inspired by Him.

accursed Margin (and Greek), anathema. See note on ch. 1 Corinthians 16:22.

that Jesus is the Lord Perhaps, Jesus Is Lord, or Lord Jesus.

but by the Holy Ghost Literally, in the Holy Ghost (or Spirit), see above. Not a single true word can be spoken but by the agency of the Spirit of God. As far as the confession that Jesus is Lord goes, he who makes it is under the influence of the Holy Ghost. It is remarkable that St Paul has in mind in this passage those who deny the Divinityof Christ; St John, in the similar passage just quoted, the sects, which arose afterwards, who denied His Humanity.

4 gifts χαρίσματα, ch. 1 Corinthians 7:7, special powers vouchsafed by God, In addition to the ordinary -fruit of the Spirit," Galatians 5:22, which last was within the reach of every Christian who would use ordinary diligence. Cf. Romans 12:6-8; 1 Peter 4:10-11, where the same word is used as here.

but the same Spirit The unity of the source is strongly insisted upon, to put an end to the mutual jealousy of the Corinthians. And it is remarkable that each person in the Blessed Trinity is introduced to emphasize the argument, and in contrary order (as Estius remarks), in order to lead us step by step to the One Source of all. First the Spirit, Who bestows the -gifts" on the believer. Next the Lord, to Whom men render service in His Church. Lastly God the Father, from Whom all proceeds, Whose are all the works which are done to Him and in His Name. Cf. ch. 1 Corinthians 3:7; 1Co 3:9; 1 Corinthians 3:23; 1 Corinthians 8:6.