1 Corinthians 14:36 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached?

NIV: Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?

NASB: Or was it from you that the word of God first went out? Or has it come to you only?

CSB: Or did the word of God originate from you, or did it come to you only?

NLT: Or do you think God’s word originated with you Corinthians? Are you the only ones to whom it was given?

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

NKJV: Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached?

After a thorough discussion of some of the issues surrounding the way the Corinthian church was conducting worship services, Paul has laid down some rules. He introduced the previous two verses with the phrase, "as in all the churches of the saints." Now he returns to that idea with two pointedly sarcastic questions.

Paul asks if the word of God came from the church in Corinth or if the gospel has reached only them. Of course, neither is the case. Paul wants them to see that their church is part of the larger movement of the Christian "churches of the saints" around the world. People in other churches have developed practices for the proper use of gifts, for instance, and the Corinthians should be willing to adjust their own practices to fit into what is appropriate and pleasing to God, as well.

Many modern churches are independent from any group or denomination, but no church made up of genuine believers in Jesus stands alone or above other Bible believing Christian churches. All are accountable to God and, to an extent, accountable to other local churches around the world attended by brothers and sisters in Christ.

First Corinthians 14:26–40 includes specific instructions to the Corinthians on an orderly worship service. These meetings should reflect the character of God. Everyone should have an opportunity to bring a hymn, a lesson, a prophetic revelation from God, and even to speak in a tongue if someone is able to interpret. Each must happen one at a time, in turn, and only two or three tongues-speakers or prophets should contribute during a single service. Wives must remain silent and be in submission to their husbands. Only that which builds up the church should be included.

Paul encourages the Corinthians to desire the gift of prophecy, especially, among the other gifts. He shows why its use in the church service is superior to the use of the gift of tongues if nobody is available to interpret. Prophecy benefits everyone; praying in tongues with nobody to interpret benefits only the speaker. Only two or three tongues-speakers should contribute to any service, and only then one at a time and followed by interpreters. The same applies to prophecy and the gift of discerning spirits. Orderliness and building up the church are guiding principles for any worship meeting. Modern churches are divided on the extent to who which these gifts are given, or should be practiced.

1 Corinthians 14 concludes Paul's teaching on the spiritual gifts begun in chapter 12. Between them, chapter 13 declared that Christlike love matters most of all. The gift of prophecy is better than the display of the gift of tongues in worship services unless someone with the gift of interpreting tongues is available. Even then, only those things which build up the church should be included in any service, and everything should be done in an orderly way, reflecting the character of God. The final two chapters of this letter discuss the resurrection of Christ and Paul's concluding remarks.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.