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Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14 verses 36–40
In these verses the apostle closes his argument, 1. With a just rebuke of the Corinthians for their extravagant pride and self-conceit: they so managed with their spiritual gifts as no church did like them; they behaved in a manner by themselves, and would not easily endure control nor regulation. Now, says the apostle, to beat down this arrogant humour, "Came the gospel out from you? Or came it to you only? Co1 14:36. Did Christianity come our of Corinth? was its original among you? Or, if not, is it now limited and confined to you? are you the only church favoured with divine revelations, that you will depart from the decent usages of all other churches, and, to make ostentation of your spiritual gifts, bring confusion into Christian assemblies? How intolerably assuming is this behaviour! Pray bethink yourselves." When it was needful or proper the apostle could rebuke with all authority; and surely his rebukes, if ever, were proper here. Note, Those must be reproved and humbled whose spiritual pride and self-conceit throw Christian churches and assemblies into confusion, though such men will hardly bear even the rebukes of an apostle. 2. He lets them know that what he said to them was the command of God; nor durst any true prophet, any one really inspired, deny it (Co1 14:37): "If any man think himself a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge, etc., nay, let him be tried by this very rule. If he will not own what I deliver on this head to be the will of Christ, he himself never had the Spirit of Christ. The Spirit of Christ can never contradict itself; if it speak in me, and in them, it must speak the same things in both. If their revelations contradict mine, they do not come from the same Spirit; either I or they must be false prophets. By this therefore you may know them. If they say that my directions in this matter are no divine commandments, you may depend upon it they are not divinely inspired. But if any continue after all, through prejudice or obstinacy, uncertain or ignorant whether they or I speak by the Spirit of God, they must be left under the power of this ignorance. If their pretences to inspiration can stand in competition with the apostolical character and powers which I have, I have lost all my authority and influence; and the persons who allow of this competition against me are out of the reach of conviction, and must be left to themselves." Note, It is just with God to leave those to the blindness of their own minds who wilfully shut out the light. Those who would be ignorant in so plain a case were justly left under the power of their mistake. 3. He sums up all in two general advices: - (1.) That though they should not despise the gift of tongues, nor altogether disuse it, under the regulations mentioned, yet they should prefer prophesying. This is indeed the scope of the whole argument. It was to be preferred to the other, because it was the more useful gift. (2.) He charges them to let all things be done decently and in order (Co1 14:40), that is, that they should avoid every thing that was manifestly indecent and disorderly. Not that they should hence take occasion to bring into the Christian church and worship any thing that a vain mind might think ornamental to it, or that would help to set it off. Such indecencies and disorders as he had remarked upon were especially to be shunned. They must do nothing that was manifestly childish (Co1 14:20), or that would give occasion to say they were mad (Co1 14:23), nor must they act so as to breed confusion, Co1 14:33. This would be utterly indecent; it would make a tumult and mob of a Christian assembly. But they were to do things in order; they were to speak one after another, and not all at once; take their turns, and not interrupt one another. To do otherwise was to destroy the end of a Christians ministry, and all assemblies for Christian worship. Note, Manifest indecencies and disorders are to be carefully kept out of all Christian churches, and every part of divine worship. They should have nothing in them that is childish, absurd, ridiculous, wild, or tumultuous; but all parts of divine worship should be carried on in a manly, grave, rational, composed, and orderly manner. God is not to be dishonoured, nor his worship disgraced, by our unbecoming and disorderly performance of it and attendance at it.
Next, what is strongest of all he puts last, saying, "God ordains these things even at this time by me."
"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 commandments of the Lord. But if any man is ignorant, let him be ignorant."
And wherefore did he add this? Intimating that he is not using violence nor contention, which is a sign of them who wish not to set up their own things, but aim at what is profitable to others. Wherefore also in another place he saith, "But if any man seemeth to be contentious, we have no such custom." (1 Cor. 11:16) But he doth not this everywhere, but only where the offences are not very great, and then rather as putting them to shame. Since when he discourses of other sins, he speaks not thus. But how? "Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor effeminate, shall inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Cor. 6:9-10) And again, "Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing." (Gal. 5:2.) But here, since his discourse was of silence, he doth not very keenly inveigh against them, by this very thing attracting them the more.
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SUMMARY
Serves as a stark, concluding statement in Paul's instructions regarding orderly worship and the proper exercise of spiritual gifts within the Corinthian church. It underscores the gravity of Paul's apostolic authority, implying that if anyone willfully refuses to acknowledge the divine origin and wisdom of his directives, they are essentially left to the consequences of their chosen state of ignorance, with no further argument or persuasion offered. This verse highlights the solemn reality that persistent rejection of clear biblical truth leads to spiritual stagnation and a forfeiture of divine understanding.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Paul employs several potent literary devices in 1 Corinthians 14:38 to convey his message with force and finality. The most prominent is Irony, where Paul, having just asserted the divine origin of his commands, states that if someone chooses to be ignorant of them, they are permitted to remain so. This is not a concession but a cutting indictment, highlighting the futility of arguing with those who willfully resist truth. The phrase also utilizes the Imperative Mood ("let him be ignorant"), which, while grammatically a command, functions here as a declaration of consequence or a solemn pronouncement of divine permission for self-chosen spiritual blindness. This is reinforced by Repetition of the word "ignorant" (agnoéō), which underscores the chosen nature of this state. Furthermore, the verse acts as a powerful Rhetorical Device, serving as a final, unyielding warning to those in Corinth who might be inclined to dismiss his apostolic authority and the divine order he was seeking to establish. It marks the end of argument and the beginning of a self-inflicted spiritual consequence.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Corinthians 14:38 profoundly illustrates the theological principle that God respects human free will, even when that will leads to a rejection of divine truth. While God desires all to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4), He does not coerce belief or understanding. This verse serves as a stark reminder that persistent, willful rejection of clear revelation can lead to a state where further divine illumination is withheld, leaving individuals to the natural consequences of their chosen spiritual blindness. It underscores the gravity of responding to God's Word with humility and obedience, recognizing that to dismiss apostolic teaching is to dismiss God Himself.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 14:38 stands as a powerful call to humility and discernment for believers today. It challenges us to examine our hearts for any areas where we might be willfully ignorant of God's Word or resistant to its clear teachings. In an age of abundant information, the temptation to pick and choose which biblical truths to accept or dismiss can be strong. However, Paul's warning reminds us that God's commands, as revealed in Scripture, are not open for negotiation based on personal preference or cultural trends. True spiritual growth and the flourishing of the church depend on a teachable spirit, a readiness to submit to the authority of God's Word, and a commitment to living in accordance with His revealed will. To deliberately ignore or reject foundational biblical principles, especially those pertaining to church order, doctrine, or Christian conduct, is to invite spiritual stagnation and disorder, much like the Corinthians experienced. This verse urges us to constantly seek understanding, to test all things against Scripture, and to humbly obey, lest we find ourselves left to our own chosen ignorance.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does 1 Corinthians 14:38 mean God gives up on people who don't understand?
Answer: No, this verse does not imply that God gives up on people who genuinely struggle to understand or who are simply uninformed. The Greek word "agnoéō" (ignorant) in this context, especially following Paul's strong assertion of divine authority in 1 Corinthians 14:37, carries the connotation of a willful or deliberate refusal to acknowledge truth that has been clearly presented. Paul is addressing those who, despite having received clear divine instruction, choose to disregard it out of stubbornness or pride. In such cases, the verse indicates that further argument or persuasion is futile, and the individual is left to the consequences of their chosen state of ignorance. It's a statement about the futility of reasoning with someone who has already made up their mind to reject truth, rather than a declaration of God's abandonment of the genuinely seeking heart. God's desire is always for people to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Corinthians 14:38 directly addresses the rejection of Paul's apostolic authority, its profound Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the ultimate revelation of truth found in Jesus Christ Himself. Just as rejecting Paul's Spirit-inspired words was tantamount to rejecting the Lord's command, so too is the rejection of Christ the ultimate act of willful ignorance. Jesus declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me." To be "ignorant" of Christ, in the sense of willfully refusing to acknowledge His deity, His atoning work, or His Lordship, is to choose a path of spiritual darkness. The Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised would "guide you into all the truth," convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). Those who harden their hearts against this divine conviction, choosing to remain ignorant of the saving truth in Christ, ultimately face the solemn reality that they are left to their chosen state, just as Paul warned the Corinthians. The call to embrace Paul's teaching was a call to embrace Christ's authority, foreshadowing the greater truth that embracing Christ is embracing the fullness of God's revelation and salvation.