12:2, 3 As an introduction to the subject of spiritual gifts in Corinth, Paul reminds his readers of the contrast between their pagan and Christian experience. It is not clear whether anyone was actually uttering curses against Jesus (the statement may be only an illustration), but the focus of v. 3 is on the content of religious speech. In view of 14:6–19, we may infer that the apostle is anticipating his argument for understandable speech. Pagans too may have experienced miraculous speech, but what really matters is what is said.