1 Corinthians 14:38 - Printer Friendly

ESV: If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

NIV: But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.

NASB: But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

CSB: If anyone ignores this, he will be ignored.

NLT: But if you do not recognize this, you yourself will not be recognized.

KJV: But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

NKJV: But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

The Corinthians have been given a set of very specific instructions about what should and should not happen in worship services. Paul insists they should receive his teaching about these things as commands from the Lord. As an apostle of Jesus, Paul officially represented Christ's words and will to other believers. Paul wrote in the previous verse that any spiritual people—those "in the Spirit"—and anyone with the gift of prophecy should acknowledge this to be true (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Now he adds that any among them who do not recognize these commands as coming from Christ will also not be recognized. The implication is that those who oppose Paul in these areas, those who disregard his teaching, will themselves be disregarded or ignored by God. In other words, those who reject the clear teaching of God about these things risk being revealed as not belonging to God. This is not an accusation Paul makes lightly (Galatians 1:8–9), or without cause.

Those who believe God and are known by Him will receive His instructions, including those delivered by Paul, and will act on them.

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.