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1 Corinthians 14:36

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¶ What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

What {G2228}? came {G1831} the word {G3056} of God {G2316} out {G1831} from {G575} you {G5216}? or {G2228} came it {G2658} unto {G1519} you {G5209} only {G3441}?

Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?

Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?

What? was it from you that the word of God went forth? or came it unto you alone?

Commentary

In this sharp rhetorical question, the Apostle Paul challenges the Corinthian church's behavior and assumptions about their own spiritual authority and uniqueness.

Context

This verse follows immediately after Paul's instructions regarding order in the church assembly, specifically addressing the role of women speaking (1 Corinthians 14:34-35). The Corinthians were exhibiting disorder and potentially acting as if their congregation was somehow the sole or primary source of divine truth, or that they were uniquely exempt from the standards applied elsewhere. Paul uses this question to bring them back to reality – the word of God did not originate with them; it came to them as part of a larger, universal body of believers.

Key Themes

  • Authority of Scripture: The verse emphasizes that God's word has an external, divine origin, not human invention or local preference.
  • Unity and Universality of the Church: It reminds the Corinthians that they are part of a global body of believers who all receive the same truth, and their practices should align with the practices of the broader church.
  • Humility vs. Pride: Paul confronts any potential spiritual arrogance or sense of being superior or independent within the Corinthian congregation.
  • Order in Worship: By challenging their source of authority, Paul reinforces the need for their worship practices to be orderly and align with apostolic teaching, which came from God.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's "What?" at the beginning is a direct translation of the Greek particle ē, used here to introduce a question expressing surprise or indignation. The phrasing "came the word of God out from you?" is a pointed challenge to their perceived independence or originality. The contrast with "came it unto you only?" highlights the absurdity of their acting as if they were the exclusive recipients or originators of God's message.

Related Scriptures

  • This verse directly relates to the instructions in the preceding verses: 1 Corinthians 14:34-35.
  • It underscores the divine origin of Scripture, a theme found elsewhere, such as 2 Timothy 3:16.
  • The idea that the gospel spread from a central source and went out to various places is seen in passages like Acts 1:8.
  • Paul frequently emphasizes the unity of believers as the body of Christ, receiving instruction from the same source.

Practical Application

Believers today should remember that the Bible is God's authoritative word, not a product of human culture or personal opinion. We are part of a global church that receives truth from the same divine source. This calls for humility, adherence to biblical teaching that aligns with the universal church throughout history, and avoiding spiritual pride or acting as if our local congregation or individual understanding is the ultimate standard.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Zechariah 14:8 (2 votes)

    ¶ And it shall be in that day, [that] living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

  • Acts 18:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

  • Acts 18:17 (2 votes)

    Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat [him] before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:7 (2 votes)

    ¶ For who maketh thee to differ [from another]? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive [it], why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received [it]?

  • Acts 16:9 (2 votes)

    And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

  • Acts 16:10 (2 votes)

    And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

  • Acts 17:15 (2 votes)

    And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.