1Cor 12:3, 2Cor 4:5, Phili 3:8 | JFB | e4.org | 3. The negative and positive criteria of inspiration by the Spirit—the rejection or confession of Jesus as Lord [ALFORD ] ( ). Paul gives a test of truth against the Gentiles; John, against the false prophets. by the Spirit —rather, as Greek, "IN the Spirit"; that being the power pervading him, and the element in which he speaks [ALFORD ], ( ). of God . . . Holy —The same Spirit is called at one time "the Spirit of GOD "; at another, "the HOLY Ghost," or "Holy Spirit." Infinite Holiness is almost synonymous with Godhead. speaking . . . say —"Speak" implies the act of utterance; "say" refers to that which is uttered. Here, "say" means a spiritual and believing confession of Him. Jesus —not an abstract doctrine, but the historical, living God-man ( ). accursed —as the Jews and Gentiles treated Him ( ). Compare "to curse Christ" in the heathen PLINY'S letter [ Epistles, 10.97]. The spiritual man feels Him to be the Source of all blessings ( ) and to be severed from Him is to be accursed ( ). Lord —acknowledging himself as His servant ( ). "Lord" is the Septuagint translation for the incommunicable Hebrew name JEHOVAH .

‏ 1 Corinthians 12:3

3. The negative and positive criteria of inspiration by the Spirit—the rejection or confession of Jesus as Lord [ALFORD] (1Jo 4:2; 5:1). Paul gives a test of truth against the Gentiles; John, against the false prophets.

by the Spirit—rather, as Greek, "IN the Spirit"; that being the power pervading him, and the element in which he speaks [ALFORD], (Mt 16:17; Joh 15:26).

of God . . . Holy—The same Spirit is called at one time "the Spirit of GOD"; at another, "the HOLY Ghost," or "Holy Spirit." Infinite Holiness is almost synonymous with Godhead.

speaking . . . say—"Speak" implies the act of utterance; "say" refers to that which is uttered. Here, "say" means a spiritual and believing confession of Him.

Jesus—not an abstract doctrine, but the historical, living God-man (Ro 10:9).

accursed—as the Jews and Gentiles treated Him (Ga 3:13). Compare "to curse Christ" in the heathen PLINY'S letter [Epistles, 10.97]. The spiritual man feels Him to be the Source of all blessings (Eph 1:3) and to be severed from Him is to be accursed (Ro 9:3).

Lord—acknowledging himself as His servant (Isa 26:13). "Lord" is the Septuagint translation for the incommunicable Hebrew name JEHOVAH.

‏ 2 Corinthians 4:5

5. For—Their blindness is not our fault, as if we had self-seeking aims in our preaching.

preach . . . Christ . . . the Lord—rather, "Christ as Lord," and ourselves as your servants, &c. "Lord," or "Master," is the correlative term to "servants."

‏ Philippians 3:8

8. Yea doubtless—The oldest manuscripts omit "doubtless" (Greek, "ge"): translate, "nay more." Not only "have I counted" those things just mentioned "loss for Christ's sake, but, moreover, I even DO count ALL things but loss," &c.

for the excellency—Greek, "On account of the surpassing excellency (the supereminence above them all) of the knowledge of Christ Jesus."

my Lord—believing and loving appropriation of Him (Ps 63:1; Joh 20:28).

for whom—"on account of whom."

I have suffered the loss—not merely I "counted" them "loss," but have actually lost them.

all things—The Greek has the article, referring to the preceding "all things"; "I have suffered the loss of them all."

dung—Greek, "refuse (such as excrements, dregs, dross) cast to the dogs," as the derivation expresses. A "loss" is of something having value; but "refuse" is thrown away as not worthy of being any more touched or looked at.

win—Translate, to accord with the translation, Php 3:7, "gain Christ." A man cannot make other things his "gain" or chief confidence, and at the same time "gain Christ." He who loses all things, and even himself, on account of Christ, gains Christ: Christ is His, and He is Christ's (So 2:16; 6:3; Lu 9:23, 24; 1Co 3:23).