1 Corinthians 14:37

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

If any man {G1536} think himself {G1380} to be {G1511} a prophet {G4396}, or {G2228} spiritual {G4152}, let him acknowledge {G1921} that {G3754} the things {G3739} that I write {G1125} unto you {G5213} are {G1526} the commandments {G1785} of the Lord {G2962}.

If anyone thinks he is a prophet or is endowed with the Spirit, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is a command of the Lord.

If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.

If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.

Context of 1 Corinthians 14:37

This verse is a powerful declaration by the Apostle Paul, situated within his extensive instructions to the Corinthian church regarding the proper exercise of spiritual gifts, particularly prophecy and speaking in tongues. The church in Corinth was characterized by its enthusiasm for spiritual manifestations but also by significant disorder and confusion in its public worship gatherings. Throughout 1 Corinthians 14, Paul emphasizes the importance of order, understanding, and edification above mere ecstatic display. He had just given specific directives concerning the regulation of prophetic utterances (1 Corinthians 14:29-33) and the conduct of women in the assembly (1 Corinthians 14:34-35). Verse 37 serves as a conclusive and authoritative statement, reinforcing the divine origin of all his preceding instructions.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Apostolic Authority and Divine Inspiration: Paul asserts that his teachings are not merely his personal opinions or advice, but directly from God. This is a crucial claim for establishing the binding nature of his directives for church order and practice. He demands that those who claim spiritual insight recognize his words as divine commands.
  • Testing Spiritual Claims: The verse provides a litmus test for genuine spirituality and prophetic gifting. If someone truly believes they are a prophet or particularly "spiritual" (meaning Spirit-filled or gifted), their authenticity is validated by their willingness to acknowledge and submit to the authoritative teachings of Paul, which he declares are the Lord's commandments. This implies that true spirituality will always align with and uphold sound doctrine.
  • Order in Worship: Underlying this strong declaration is Paul's consistent theme in 1 Corinthians 14: the necessity of order, decency, and edification in Christian gatherings. By asserting the divine authority behind his regulations, Paul aims to curb the chaos and ensure that worship serves to build up the body of Christ, rather than cause confusion (1 Corinthians 14:40).

Linguistic Insights

The term "prophet" (Greek: prophētēs) refers to one who speaks forth a message from God, whether foretelling the future or forthtelling divine truth. "Spiritual" (Greek: pneumatikos) denotes someone who is Spirit-filled or gifted by the Spirit, implying a claim to special revelation or insight. Paul's direct challenge, "let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord" (Greek: kyriou entolai), underscores the divine origin and binding nature of his instructions, equating his apostolic teaching with direct divine mandates.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Corinthians 14:37 reinforces the foundational principle of submission to God's written Word. Paul's letters, now part of the inspired New Testament, are not mere human opinions but carry divine authority for faith and practice. This verse challenges us to:

  • Discern Spiritual Claims: We should test all spiritual claims, prophecies, and teachings against the authoritative standard of Scripture (1 John 4:1). True spiritual giftedness and genuine prophecy will always align with, and never contradict, the revealed Word of God.
  • Uphold Biblical Authority: This verse underscores the importance of upholding the Bible as the ultimate source of truth and guidance for the church and individual believers. Any teaching or practice claiming to be spiritual must be weighed by this divine standard.
  • Promote Orderly Worship: The principle of order and edification in church services remains paramount. Leaders and members alike are called to ensure that all activities contribute to the spiritual growth and understanding of the congregation, in accordance with biblical principles.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 John 4:6

    We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

  • 2 Corinthians 10:7

    ¶ Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he [is] Christ's, even so [are] we Christ's.

  • Jude 1:17

    But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

  • 2 Peter 3:2

    That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

  • 2 Corinthians 10:12

    ¶ For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

  • Romans 12:3

    For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

  • Galatians 6:8

    For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

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