1 Corinthians 14:37 - Printer Friendly

ESV: If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.

NIV: If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command.

NASB: If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.

CSB: If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, he should recognize that what I write to you is the Lord's command.

NLT: If you claim to be a prophet or think you are spiritual, you should recognize that what I am saying is a command from the Lord himself.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

Paul is coming to the end of his teaching about spiritual gifts and changes that need to happen with the worship services of the Corinthian church. He expects some who read or hear his letter to disagree with his instructions. He reminds those listening that he is writing on behalf of the Lord. His instructions to them amount to commands from God.

How can Paul assert such a thing? He began this letter with these words, "Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus" (1 Corinthians 1:1). Paul's role as an apostle meant that he was sent by Christ to represent Christ's message to the world. This includes Christ's commands about how to—and how not to—conduct church services.

Paul states that anyone in the church at Corinth who thinks of himself as a prophet or even just a spiritual person in Christ should understand and agree with this. That would be true on at least two levels. For one thing, all the beliefs about Christ held by the Corinthians have been given to them by Paul or other teachers who agree with Paul. To disagree with the idea that Paul's teaching is from God now would lead to disregarding everything else he has taught them. In another sense, those in the church who receive revelation from God or who are spiritual people (1 Corinthians 2:14), should sense from God, from God's Spirit, that what Paul is telling them is right and true.

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.