ACC ~ 1 Corinthians 12 v2

THEIR FORMER LIFE. AMBROSIASTER: Now that he is about to give them spiritual teaching, Paul recalls their former way of life. His intention is that, just as they have been worshipers of idols in the shape of statues and used to be led about by the will of demons, so now, as worshipers of God, they may walk according to the model of the law, so as to be pleasing to God. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

POSSESSED BY AN UNCLEAN SPIRIT. CHRYSOSTOM: What Paul means is that if anyone in a pagan temple was at any time possessed by an unclean spirit and began to divine, he was led away by that spirit like a man in chains and had no idea what he was saying. For it is peculiar to the soothsayer to be beside himself, to be under compulsion, to be pushed, to be dragged, to be greeted as a madman. But the prophet is not like this, because he has a sober mind and composed temper and knows exactly what he is saying. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 29.2.

CHRISTIAN PROPHECY VERSUS PAGAN SOOTHSAYING. SEVERIAN OF GABALA: Paul shows that there is a very big difference between Christian prophecy and pagan soothsaying. Pagans do not address the unclean spirit but are possessed by it and say things which they do not understand. The soothsayer’s soul is darkened, and he does not know what he is saying, whereas the prophet’s soul is enlightened and reveals what the prophet has learned and understood. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

1 Cor