1 Corinthians 12:2 “You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray…”

1 Corinthians 12:2

You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

World English Bible

You know that when you were heathen, you were led away to those mute idols, however you might be led.

American Standard Version

Ye know that when ye were Gentiles ye were led away unto those dumb idols, howsoever ye might be led.

Geneva Bible 1599

Ye know that ye were Gentiles, and were caried away vnto the dumme Idoles, as ye were led.

Darby Translation

Ye know that when ye were [of the] nations [ye were] led away to dumb idols, in whatever way ye might be led.

Young's Literal Translation

ye have known that ye were nations, unto the dumb idols — as ye were led — being carried away;

Bible in Basic English

You are conscious that when you were Gentiles, in whatever way you were guided, you went after images without voice or power.

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Cross references

“that”

1 Peter 4:3 1 Thessalonians 1:9 Galatians 4:8 1 Corinthians 6:11 Titus 3:3 Ephesians 2:11

1 Peter 4:3 · BSB

For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.

1 Thessalonians 1:9 · BSB

For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

Galatians 4:8 · BSB

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.

1 Corinthians 6:11 · BSB

And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Titus 3:3 · BSB

For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

Ephesians 2:11 · BSB

Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)—

“dumb”

Psalm 115:5 Psalm 115:7 Psalm 135:16 Habakkuk 2:18 Habakkuk 2:19

Psalm 115:5 · BSB

They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;

Psalm 115:7 · BSB

they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats.

Psalm 135:16 · BSB

They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;

Habakkuk 2:18 · BSB

What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it— or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak.

Habakkuk 2:19 · BSB

Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.”

“even”

Matthew 15:14 1 Peter 1:18

Matthew 15:14 · BSB

Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

1 Peter 1:18 · BSB

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers,

Also

Jeremiah 10:5 Isaiah 46:7

Jeremiah 10:5 · BSB

Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.”

Isaiah 46:7 · BSB

They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

1Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.

3Therefore 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.

Read 1 Corinthians 12