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 12:3KJV
Know the Bible

1 Corinthians 12:3 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 12:3 mean?

1 Corinthians 12:3 says that no one who is truly guided by God’s Spirit will speak against Jesus or call Him cursed, and that only by the Holy Spirit can someone sincerely declare that Jesus is Lord. This verse draws a clear line between what comes from God’s Spirit and what does not.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, where there was confusion about spiritual gifts and how the Holy Spirit works. He wants the believers to understand that the true sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence is a genuine confession of Jesus as Lord, not just dramatic spiritual experiences or words. This helps the early Christians know how to recognize what is truly from God.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 12:3

  • πνεῦμα (pneuma, G4151) — “Spirit”: This word refers to the Holy Spirit, the active presence of God. Paul uses it to show that the source of someone’s words about Jesus matters more than outward appearances.
  • ἀνάθεμα (anathema, G331) — “accursed”: This strong word means something set apart for destruction or cursed. Paul is clear that the Holy Spirit would never lead anyone to call Jesus this.
  • κύριος (kyrios, G2962) — “Lord”: In the Greek world, this word could mean “master” or “ruler,” but for early Christians, calling Jesus “Lord” was a way of recognizing Him as divine and central to their faith.

Why 1 Corinthians 12:3 matters

  • This verse helps clear up confusion about spiritual experiences by showing that the real test is what someone says about Jesus, not just whether they seem spiritual.
  • It emphasizes that faith in Jesus as Lord is not just a human decision but something made possible by the Holy Spirit’s work in a person’s life.
  • It connects to the wider passage about spiritual gifts, reminding the church that all true gifts and guidance from God’s Spirit will always honor Jesus.

Where else these words appear

“accursed” Greek G331 · used in 6 verses

  • Acts 23:14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.
  • Romans 9:3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
  • Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

“give” Greek G1107 · used in 23 verses

  • Luke 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
  • Ephesians 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

“Wherefore” Greek G1352 · used in 52 verses

  • Matthew 27:8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
  • Romans 15:7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
  • Philemon 1:8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

“but” Greek G1508 · used in 87 verses

  • Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
  • Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
  • Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.