Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Corinthians 14:36
What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
36. What? came the word of God out from you? ] The self-assertion of the Corinthians was so great that they needed to be reminded that they had received the doctrine of Christ through the ministry of St Paul, and that it had not originated among themselves.
or came it unto you only? ] i.e. to you alone. They owed a duty, not only to those who had preached the gospel to them, but to other Churches, whose example could not be safely neglected. See note on 1Co 14:33.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
What! came the word of God out from you? – The meaning of this is, Is the church at Corinth the mother church? Was it first established; or has it been alone in sending forth the Word of God? You have adopted customs which are unusual. You have permitted women to speak in a manner unknown to other churches; see 1Co 11:16. You have admitted irregularity and confusion unknown in all the others. You have allowed many to speak at the same time, and have tolerated confusion and disorder. Have you any right thus to differ from others? Have you any authority, as it were, to dictate to them, to teach them, contrary to their uniform custom, to allow these disorders? Should you not rather be conformed to them, and observe the rules of the churches which are older than yours? The argument here is, that the church at Corinth was not the first that was established; that it was one of the last that had been founded; and that it could, therefore, claim no right to differ from others, or to prescribe to them. The same argument is employed in 1Co 11:16; see Note.
Or came it unto you only? – As you are not the first of those who believed, neither are you the only ones. God has sent the same gospel to others, and it is traveling over the world. Others, therefore, have the same right as you to originate customs and special habits; and as this would be attended with confusion and disorder, you should all follow the same rule, and the customs which do not prevail in other churches should not be allowed in yours.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
1Co 14:36-38
What?
came the Word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
Resistance to the Divine order in the Church
I. Proceeds from the overweening opinion a man has of his own enlightenment, or of his superiority to others.
II. Will never be offered by a truly spiritual man. He acknowledges the supreme authority of Gods Word.
III. If persisted in through wilful ignorance, incurs a tremendous responsibility. (J. Lyth, D. D.)
How the gospel came to Britain
This case is cited by Paul to check the arrogance of the Corinthians, and we may very properly apply it to ours. The Word of God came unto us, and did not go out from us.
I. The affecting nature of the memento. That the Word of God should have come unto us at all, demands peculiar gratitude. Scarcely reckoned among the nations, our island seemed flung into the ocean of nature. That we should have been forgotten by the apostles would be no great wonder. We were out of their path. What was such a spot as this when churches were rising in Rome, etc.? It is probable, however, that Britain was visited before the apostles death; for in one place he rejoices that the gospel was preached to every creature under heaven. And who can say that the prophetic John heard no notes from Albion in the song of all nations which was presented before the throne? Caesar armed his galleys, and came upon us. But he was only the breaker up before a most glorious influence. With nearly the promptitude of Caesar, Christianity came, it saw, it conquered! It was, no doubt, brought to us by a missionary given wholly to the work. No marble marks his name; but we cannot help exclaiming, How beautiful upon the mountains were his feet! etc.
II. This subject gives rise to some very interesting inquiries.
1. Upon what impressions of our state did these missionaries act? Enough of our country was known to assure them that a monstrous superstition prevailed among us. Some would say, Why disturb this people? They worship God according to their long established custom; there is a mine of philosophy in their legends; they are harmless and simple, happy and content; they have the means of improvement, if they desire it; the system you would introduce is very well for us, but it is net suited to them; besides, they seek not your interference; they might as properly bring their religion to you, as you take yours to them. But there were men (and all generations shall call them blessed) who took a very different view of the state of our aborigines. However interesting a people we might be, they knew that we were idolaters: that, however the emblems of our worship might be interpreted, the majority looked to the emblems alone, and that the fire, trees, etc., were actually worshipped; that children and captives were crowded into wicker figures and burned; that the priests were vile impostors and jugglers; that the system was a sort of parricide on reason, and nature, and God; that it was the prolific source of all evil, the conjunction of all vices. Therefore they fearlessly launched on the deep to visit us, and we know that their entrance was not in vain.
2. Under what obligations were these missionaries laid? No spirit bade them go forth, nothing doubting. But a weight of responsibility pressed upon them; they had received the gospel; a commission had been given them to preach it to all. They were always ready to obey the Saviour. Some might think their labours should be confined at home; frivolity would simper; friendship would dissuade; prudence would calculate; the whole mind would shrink at the idea of danger. But a feeling of duty was paramount; and what they did, they did heartily, as unto the Lord. But, if they did what it was only their duty to do, how gross is our neglect!
3. By what feelings were these missionaries inspired? Avarice and ambition fed not their flame. It was charity in its pure sublime–a charity which never failed. Their business was not with civilisation and science; but the soul was their grand concern, because they knew its source, its danger, and its destiny.
4. With what means were these missionaries furnished? It is not very probable that they were furnished with miraculous powers. They had no red-cross banners, no pealing litany, etc.; but by them the Word of God came to us.
5. To what sufferings were these missionaries exposed? They must have had a variety of perils to encounter. From the necks of endeared friends they were torn asunder. How did the druid scowl at them and the multitude clamour for them as a sacrifice! Probably some came to a violent death. (R. W. Hamilton, D. D.)
The reason for missions
The text reminds us–
I. Of our obligations.
1. Missionaries came first to us.
2. Consider their impressions, obligations, motives, means, sufferings.
II. Of our duty.
1. To send the gospel to others, who have equal need, equal claims.
2. We have the ability to do it.
3. Are under equal obligation.
4. Possess the same motives. (J. Lyth, D. D.)
If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.—
St. Pauls authority
History repeats itself. Modern heresies are only ancient errors. It is the fashion now, as it was at Corinth, to repudiate the apostles authority and to claim the right to criticise his teaching. The cry then was, Not Paul, but Peter or Apollos; now it is not Paul, but Christ. Consider St. Pauls authority–
I. In itself.
1. Its nature. Nothing can be plainer than that the words, The things I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord, are a claim to Divine authority. His critics must therefore choose one of three theories.
(1) Imposture. But chap. 13. is sufficient to refute that.
(2) Madness. But this Epistle could not have been written by any other than a sane man–a man whose mind was as clear as his purpose was honest.
(3) Truth. No honest or intelligent man could have preferred the claim of our text had it not been true. If true, then St. Pauls words carry the same weight as the Ten Commandments or the Sermon on the Mount.
2. Its basis. He wrote the commandments of the Lord–i.e., those which came from the Lord by direct inspiration, for they are not quotations from previous revelations.
(1) Joh 14:25-26; Joh 15:12-13 are a declaration at once of the incompleteness of Christs personal teaching and a promise of fuller instruction under the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The apostles were to know more than Christ had taught them after He had gone. To compare, therefore, the apostles teaching with that of our Lords to the disparagement of the former is simply to repudiate the authority of Christ. Jesus only began to teach personally (Act 1:1). His perfected teaching was through the apostles after Pentacost.
(2) Was Paul among the number? This Epistle is a triumphant answer to that question (cf. 1Co 15:1-3 with Gal 1:1; Gal 1:11-16)
. Again, this is blasphemy, insanity, or truth. If the last, then St. Pauls teaching by the terms of his Masters declaration was on a level with his own.
3. Its independence (verse 38). The apostle felt that any denial of his claim was based upon wilful and invincible ignorance, and with that he would have no further controversy. And this scathing satire loses none of its severity in its modern application. We have no fear that St. Pauls authority, with all the precious teaching which rests upon it, will be shaken. What has been finely said of Christianity as a whole may be said of it: This anvil has been well beaten, but it has worn out many hammers.
II. As a test.
1. Of fitness to teach. If any man think himself a prophet, etc. There was no arrogance in this. St. Paul knew that he had been put in trust with the gospel, and that he had faithfully transmitted the sacred deposit. To repudiate his authority, therefore, was to claim the liberty to tamper with Divine revelation and to imperil the souls of men. Many who thought themselves prophets did this with the disastrous results recorded in this Epistle. No man is fit to play the role of prophet who is not prepared to declare all the counsel of God. But this he cannot do if he shuns to declare any of the commandments of the Lord as delivered by Paul.
2. Of spirituality. If any man think himself to be spiritual (cf. 1Co 3:1-2)
. No small amount of the carnal-mindedness of the Corinthians is due to their repudiation of Pauls teaching. Puffed up with vanity and conceit they rejected the commandments of the Lord and became a law unto themselves. Hence their divisions, contentions, laxity, error. The same test may be applied with unerring accuracy in this and every age. The spiritually minded, with rare exceptions, have been those who have acknowledged that the things which Paul wrote are the commandments of the Lord. (J. W. Burn.)
But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
Abandonment to ignorance
Paul humbled himself, but magnified his office. Personally he was less than the least of all saints; officially he was not behind the chiefest apostles. But there were those in Corinth who acknowledged neither his authority nor that of any but themselves, and so the apostle knew that his judgment would not go unchallenged.
I. Opinionatedness and ignorance often go together. A little experience convinces us that those who cling the most tenaciously to their own opinions and habits are not men of the soundest judgment. To resist evidence and authority is no sign of intellectual power. Some are obstinate because blind to all but what is acceptable to their own prejudices.
II. There are those whom no evidence can convince and no authority overawe. If all men were candid and followed the light of reason, human life and society would be different. Men love darkness rather than light, etc. Young and sanguine ministers often begin with the persuasion that they have only to place the truth fairly before men in order to their conviction and conversion; but experience soon shows that there is a moral obduracy which is proof against all efforts.
III. It may be wise to abandon to their loved ignorance those who will not be enlightened. A benevolent mind will be slow to adopt this course, and never without the hope and prayer that God will use some other methods. But even He seems to act upon this principle, at all events, for a season and purpose. Ephraim is joined to his idols: let him alone.
IV. There is better employment for Christian labourers than the endeavours to enlighten the invincibly ignorant. There are the young, the candid, the earnest and prayerful, all anxious for light. Here, then, is abundant scope for effort. Why spend time in tilling the rock when there is virgin soil?
V. There is a probation and a judgment of God to which such characters must needs be left. The Christian labourer must remember that he is not the governor of the world. This reflection will not harden his heart against the unbelieving; he will leave such in the hands of the All-Wise and the All-Merciful. (Prof. J. R. Thomson.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 36. Came the word of God out from you?] Was it from you that other Churches received the Gospel? Are you the mother Church? that you should have rules, and orders, and customs, different from all others; and set yourselves up for a model to be copied by all the Churches of Christ?
Or came it unto you only?] Are you the only Church of God? Are there not many others founded before you that have no such customs, and permit no such disorders?
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
These words look like a smart reflection upon divers members of this church of Corinth, who thought themselves wiser than all the world besides; and the apostle might foresee, that out of the high opinion they had of themselves they would much contemn and slight his directions. He therefore asks them, what they thought of themselves? Whether they thought themselves the only churches in the world, or were the first that believed in Christ, so that the gospel went out from them, and they might give law to all churches? There were churches at Jerusalem, and in several other places, before there was any church at Corinth, so as the gospel came unto them from other churches, and did not go out from them to other churches.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
36. What!Greek, “Or.”Are you about to obey me? Or, if you set up your judgmentabove that of other churches. I wish to know, do you pretend thatyour church is the first church FROM which the gospel word came, thatyou should give the law to all others? Or are you the only personsIn, fro whom it has come?
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
What? came the word of God out from you?…. That you must give laws to other churches, and introduce new customs and practices never known or used before? No; the word of the Lord came out of Zion, and the law or doctrine of the Lord, the word of the Gospel, the doctrine of the grace of God, came out of Jerusalem. The apostles that first preached it were Jews, and they preached it first in their own land, and planted churches there, before it came to the Gentiles; and therefore the apostle suggests it would be right to consider what was the practice of the churches in Judea, the first Gospel churches, concerning women’s speaking in the church, and to conform thereunto; when they would be able to observe, that these first churches from whence the word of God came to them, disallowed of any such practice, but in this point agreed with the old synagogue:
or came it unto you only? no, it came to many other nations, and people, and towns, and cities besides them; and many churches were formed among the Gentiles, who had no such custom, did not permit their women to speak in the church; and therefore why should they be singular and different from all others? other churches had the word of God, had gifts, and prophesying as well as they, and yet had introduced no such custom; and therefore it became them to pay a deference to the judgment and practice of others, especially since these were under, and acted according to the direction of the apostle, which they ought to have been subject to.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
| On Spiritual Gifts. | A. D. 57. |
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 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. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
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? v. 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 (v. 37): “If any man think himself a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge, c., 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 (v. 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 (v. 20), or that would give occasion to say they were mad (v. 23), nor must they act so as to breed confusion, v. 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.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
1) “What? came the word of God out from you?” (e aph’ humin ho logos tou theou ekselthen) “Did the Word of God come from you?” This is a tone of chiding, of indignant protest, that Paul offers io the presumptuous brethren of Corinth.
2) “Or came it unto you only?” (e eis humas monos katentesen) “Or did it reach you all only?” Do you assume to know everything, all the will of God; and that you only have a franchise on current divine knowledge? the apostle reprimands.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
36 Did the word of God come out from you? This is a somewhat sharper reproof, but nothing more than was needful for beating down the haughtiness of the Corinthians. They were, beyond measure, self-complacent. They could not endure that either themselves, or what belonged to them, should be found fault with in anything. He asks, accordingly, whether they are the only Christians in the world; nay, farther, whether they are the first, or are to be the last? “Did the word of God,” says he, “come out from you?” that is, “Did it originate with you ?” “Has it ended with you?” that is, “Will it spread no farther ?” The design of the admonition is this — that they may not, without having any regard to others, please themselves in their own contrivances or customs. And this is a doctrine of general application; for no Church should be taken up with itself exclusively, to the neglect of others; but on the contrary, they ought all, in their turn, to hold out the right hand to each other, in the way of cherishing mutual fellowship, and accommodating themselves to each other, in so far as a regard to harmony requires. (883)
But here it is asked, whether every Church, according as it has had the precedence of another in the order of time, (884) has it also in its power to bind it to observe its institutions. (885) For Paul seems to intimate this in what he says. For example, Jerusalem was the mother of all the Churches, inasmuch as the word of the Lord had come out from it Was she then at liberty to assume to herself a superior right, so as to bind all others to follow her? I answer, that Paul here does not employ an argument of universal application, but one that was specially applicable to the Corinthians, as is frequently the case. He had, therefore, an eye to individuals, rather than to the thing itself. Hence it does not necessarily follow, that Churches that are of later origin must be bound to observe, in every point, the institutions of the earlier ones, inasmuch as even Paul himself did not bind himself by this rule, so as to obtrude upon other Churches the customs that were in use at Jerusalem. Let there be nothing of ambition — let there be nothing of obstinacy — let there be nothing of pride and contempt for other Churches — let there be, on the other hand, a desire to edify — let there be moderation and prudence; and in that case, amidst a diversity of observances, there will be nothing that is worthy of reproof.
Let us, therefore, bear in mind, that the haughtiness of the Corinthians is here reproved, who, concerned for themselves exclusively, (886) showed no respect to the Churches of earlier origin, from which they had received the gospel, and did not endeavor to accommodate themselves to other Churches, to which the gospel had flowed out from them. Would to God that there were no Corinth in our times, in respect of this fault, as well as of others! But we see how savage men, who have never tasted the gospel, (Heb 6:5,) trouble the Churches of the saints by a tyrannical enforcement of their own laws. (887)
(883) “ Autant qu’il est requis pour nourrir paix et concorde;” — “in so far as it is requisite for maintaining peace and harmony.”
(884) “ Et est plus ancienne;” — “And is more ancient.”
(885) “ A ses ordonnances et manieres de faire;” — “To its ordinances and methods of acting.”
(886) “ Ne regardans qu’a eux mesmes, et se plaisans en leur facons de faire;” — “Looking only to themselves, and pleasing themselves in their modes of acting.”
(887) “ En voulant d’vne faqon tyrannique contraindre tout le monde a receuoir leurs loix;” — “By endeavoring, in a tyrannical way, to constrain every one to receive their laws.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(36) What?The church at Corinth had on some of these points acted at variance with the practice of the other churches, and in a manner which assumed an independence of St. Pauls apostolic authority. He therefore asks them, with something of sarcastic indignation, whether they are the source from whence the word of God has come, or whether they think themselves its sole recipients, that they should set themselves above the other churches, and above him?
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
e. A silencer upon all rebellion against the apostolic directions in these three chapters, 1Co 14:36-40 .
36. What The abrupt exclamation seems to aim at some surprising revolt heard of by Paul, as coming from some rebellious Corinthians against his authoritative regulations.
From you or unto you Did you originate Christianity, or are you only its receivers from Jerusalem, from the universal Churches and from your founder-apostle?
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘What? Was it from you that the word of God went forth? or did it come to you alone?’
This refers back to the reference to ‘all the churches’. Are the Corinthians going to set themselves up as different from all the others? Do they really consider that the word of God originally went forth from them? That they were the only ones who received it? So much so that they have set up their own ideas in a way which is contradictory to how all the others see things. None others have such extreme manifestations, so much emphasis on them, so conceited a view of their own spirituality. So let them learn from them.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Conclusion In 1Co 14:36-40 Paul concludes his lengthy discussion on the gifts of utterance in public worship by giving them some guiding principles. After stating his authority in this matter (1Co 14:36-38) he states the principle that prophecy is to be most desired, but tongues are also a part of public worship (1Co 14:39). In the uses of these gifts of utterance, he gives the principle that care must be exercised to express them in a respectful and orderly manner (1Co 14:40).
1Co 14:36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
1Co 14:36
In this statement Paul is trying to get the Corinthians to understand that they are to follow the same rules as other churches, and the customs that are not allowed in other churches should not be allowed in their church.
1Co 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.
1Co 14:37
The New Testament church, because of its Jewish heritage, immediately incorporated the Old Testament Scriptures into its daily worship. However, these new believers quickly realized that some of the Old Testament teachings, such as the Law of Moses, must now be interpreted in light of the New Covenant. We see this challenge taking place at the first council of Jerusalem in Acts 15.
Act 15:1-2, “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.”
In addition to the recognition of the Old Testament, the apostles realized that they had been given the authority to reveal the new covenant with as high authority as they held the Jewish Old Testament. According to 2Co 3:1-11, they were appointed ministers of this new covenant.
The major requirement for all of the New Testament writings to be considered “divinely inspired Scripture” was apostolic authority. These twenty seven books had to have been either written by one of the twelve apostles, or either been imposed by these apostles upon the churches as an “instrument” of the Church, to be read and obeyed by all. Thus, we see the Gospels and Paul’s epistles being read in gatherings alongside the Old Testament Scriptures, and being elevated to equal authority as other sacred Scripture.
Therefore, Paul’s qualifications as a minister of the new covenant was elevated to a level higher than others due to the fact that God had given him the calling of writing much of the New Testament. Paul realized that his writings were on an equal level of authority as the Old Testament Scriptures.
Therefore, Paul held the authority to speak on the level of authority that Christ Jesus spoke while on this earth.
Scripture References – Note similar Scriptures that indicate how the New Testament writings became elevated by apostolic authority to become equal to the Old Testament Scriptures:
2Co 3:6, “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.”
Col 4:16, “And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.”
1Th 4:2, “For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.”
1Th 5:27, “1 Charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.”
2Th 2:15, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”
1Ti 5:18, “For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.”
1Pe 1:12, “Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.”
2Pe 3:16, “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”
Rev 1:3, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”
1Co 14:38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
1Co 14:38
Illustration – It was asked of me by a parent of one of my old schoolmates from junior high school to visit her son in prison. He was my age and I had gone to school with him in Mowat Junior High School. So, Sunday morning (July 15, 1984), I went to the prison ministry where a group of Christians gather to visit jail cells and to witness to the prisoners. I did not know where this young man was and had not seen him in about twelve years, since Jr. High School. I knew that he was on one of six floors of this prison building. So they assign each Christian to different floors (six floors in the building), I was assigned to maximum security. I got in the elevator, not known which floor maximum security was on. I understood them to say the third floor was the one I needed. So I got off on the 3 rd floor, went to a cell or two. I had lost the person that I was teamed up with, so I found someone to work with. But feeling that I was not in the right place, 1 Came back to the first cell I had glanced into. There, I found the young man named Dallas Self and we talked a while. The Lord led me to this young man out of a large jail building without me asking anyone. Praise the Lord, Hallelujah!!!
When I was leaving this building with my Kenneth Hagin Faith Edition Bible, [180] a zealous young Christian who had been in this ministry group, asked me about my Bible. When I reply, he began to put down the Pentecostal message and declare that he was a Baptist. Some of his friends came over and supported him as he preached a little sermon. I quietly listened. They all left and I parted with them in the parking lot. As they walked away, I was feeling a little beat down. The Lord then quickened to me two verses:
[180] Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments Authorized King James Version Red Letter Edition: Kenneth E. Hagin Faith Edition (Camden, New Jersey: Thomas Nelson Inc., 1972).
Rom 10:2, “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.”
1Co 14:38, “But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.”
Then I understood their fate of ignorance.
1Co 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
1Co 14:39
1Co 14:5, “I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.”
1Co 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
1Co 14:40
The church at Corinth has experienced division, which brings chaos and disorder (1Co 1:11). The operation of the gifts of utterance were not done orderly (1Co 14:30). Therefore, Paul was writing this epistle to the church at Corinth to establish order in different areas.
1Co 1:11, “For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.”
1Co 14:30, “If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.”
The Lord once said to me, “Let all things be done decently and in order and I can control the world. Satan gains control thru chaos and disorder. I gain control when you do things in order.”
Jas 3:15, “This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”
The Lord spoke to Myles Munroe and said, “I honour faith and order.” [181] Faith is what brings the blessings of God into our lives, but order is what manages those blessings. God honours those who are able to properly manage the blessings that He imparts to them, and He will continually give them more blessings to those who are faithful.
[181] Myles Munroe, interviewed by Benny Hinn, This is Your Day (Irving, Texas), on Trinity Broadcasting Network (Santa Ana, California), television program.
Illustration – My experience in Uganda, East Africa is that Muslims try to gain control of these weak African nations through bombings and fear. They cause disorder and then blame it on the existing government, in an attempt to overthrow the nation. They know that through chaos and disorder they can gain control over a nation.
Scripture References – Note:
Jas 3:16, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”
Fuente: Everett’s Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures
1Co 14:36 . The joins on to what is immediately before prescribed, not to the previous directions in general (de Wette, Osiander, et al. ). “It is disgraceful for a woman to speak in public, unless, perhaps, you were the first or the only Christian church, in which cases then, doubtless, your custom would show that disgracefulness to be a mistake, and would authorize as becoming the speaking of women by way of an example for other churches!” , , Theodoret; but the point of the expression, as against the Corinthian haughtiness, is very palpabl.
] , , Chrysostom. Comp. 1Co 11:5 f. Paul is decided against all undue exaltation and assumption on the part of women in religious things, and it has been the occasion of much evil in the church.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
Ver. 36. What? came the word, &c. ] As if he should say (and he saith it with some displeasure), Are ye the first, or the only Christians? are ye too good to be admonished? take heed lest your arrogance and high spiritedness lay you low enough, even in that slimy valley, Job 21:31-32 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
36 40. ] GENERAL CONCLUSION: the unseemliness and absurdity of their pretending to originate customs unknown to other churches, as if the word of God first went forth from them: and the enforcement of his apostolic authority . Then, a summary in a few words of the purport of what he has said on the spiritual gifts, and a repetition , in another form, of the fundamental precept , 1Co 14:26 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
36. ] I cannot agree with Meyer in referring this only to the regulation concerning women which has preceded. It rather seems to refer to all the points of church custom which he has been noticing, and to be inseparably connected with what follows, the recognition of his apostolic orders, as those of God .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
1Co 14:36 . The Ap. adds the authority of Christian usage to that of natural instinct ( cf. the connexion of 1Co 10:14 ; 1Co 10:16 ), in a tone of indignant protest: “Or (is it) from you (that) the word of God went out? or to you only did it reach?” i.e. , “Neque primi, neque soli estis Christiani” (Est.). The Cor [2204] acted without thinking of any but themselves, as though they were the one Church in the world, or might set the fashion to all the rest (see note on 1Co 1:2 b ; also 33 above, and 1Co 11:16 ). For the self-sufficiency of this church, cf. 1Co 4:6 ff., 1Co 5:2 . On , see 1Co 10:11 . links this ver. with the foregoing, “Or (if what I have said is not sufficient), etc.”
[2204] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
came = went.
word. App-121.
came. Greek. katantao. See Act 16:1.
unto. App-104.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
36-40.] GENERAL CONCLUSION: the unseemliness and absurdity of their pretending to originate customs unknown to other churches, as if the word of God first went forth from them: and the enforcement of his apostolic authority. Then, a summary in a few words of the purport of what he has said on the spiritual gifts, and a repetition, in another form, of the fundamental precept, 1Co 14:26.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
1Co 14:36. , ) Latin an-an? [which is used in the second part of a disjunctive interrogation] You, Corinthians, (likewise you, Romans) are neither first nor alone. But women are also elsewhere silent.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
1Co 14:36
1Co 14:36
What? was it from you that the word of God went forth? or came it unto you alone?-[They had acted in the matter of allowing women to preach as if they were the authors of Christianity-as if, because of their manifold spiritual gifts, the word of God had gone forth from Corinth, instead of from Jerusalem. He reminds them that instead of such being the case the word of God was brought to them by himself. They had received all from him.]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
came: Isa 2:3, Mic 4:1, Mic 4:2, Zec 14:8, Act 13:1-3, Act 15:35, Act 15:36, Act 16:9, Act 16:10, Act 17:1, Act 17:10, Act 17:11, Act 17:15, Act 18:1-17, 2Co 10:13-16, 1Th 1:8
or: 1Co 4:7
Reciprocal: Act 8:31 – How 1Co 7:40 – I think 2Co 12:20 – debates
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Co 14:36. The Corinthians were so puffed up over their spiritual gifts, that it made them vain enough to regard themselves as a source cf divine knowledge. The key to this verse is in the words from and unto. The word of God had not come out from them–had not originated with them. Instead, all the knowledge they possessed had been bestowed by the Lord, hence they had no ground for boasting.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
1Co 14:36. What? was it for you that the word of God went forth, or came it unto you alone?Do other churches need to learn of you how God would have the services of His Church conducted?
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
These words are looked upon by interpreters as a smart reflection upon some of the ministers and members of the church at Corinth; who from a high opinion which they had of themselves and their own management, would not submit to the foregoing precepts, canons, and rules, for order and decency in the church of God. What, says the apostle, do you think that you have all the word and will of God? Doth all knowledge of scripture, and resolution of doubts, rest in your breasts, and flow out of your lips? Consider, you are not the first church that was planted, (Jerusalem was before you,) the gospel was sent to you, it did not come out first from you.
Whence learn, That all kind of scorn is not always uncomely: men are apt to overrate themselves, and to overvalue their own abilities, as if they had engrossed all knowledge, that all must borrow from their store, and light their candle at their torch. Now in that case we may, without breach of charity, or blemish of holiness, check pride with derision; and speak them below men, who set themselves up above men.
Observe next, The apostle affirms, that these rules for order and decency which he had given them, were from the Lord; and he expected and required, that those who esteemed themselves prophets, should observe and obey them as such. But if men will be ignorant, and obstinate in their ignorance, be it at their peril, and let them look to it; do not you regard them: If any be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Paul’s Appeal To God’s Order
The brethren at Corinth were acting as if God’s word was revealed only to them and they could tell everyone else how to act. Actually, Paul had brought them the word. Those who were Spirit inspired would have been able to confirm Paul’s Spirit inspired message as truth. We may test the messages of men who claim the Holy Spirit today by comparing it to New Testament revelation ( 1Co 14:36-37 ).
If anyone showed his ignorance by failing to recognize Paul’s inspired message as truth, then the brethren needed to waste no time trying to correct them since they were willfully ignorant. Paul told them to desire the gift of prophecy, but not to look down on those who spoke in tongues. All the gifts were to be used in an orderly way since God is not the author of confusion ( 1Co 14:38-40 ; 1Co 14:33 ).
Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books
1Co 14:36-38. What! came the word of God out from you? Are ye of Corinth, the first church in the world, by whose example all others should be modelled? Or came it unto you only? Are you the only Christian society that has received the true gospel? If not, conform herein to the custom of all the churches. These questions the apostle asks, to cut off every pretence for womens teaching in the church. If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual Endowed with any extraordinary gift of the Spirit; let him acknowledge, &c. Let him prove that he is indeed under the influence of the Divine Spirit, by his submission and obedience to these determinations, and confess that the things that I now write unto you are the commandments of the Lord Dictated by inspiration from him. But if any man be ignorant Or affect to appear uncertain about the truth of what I write; let him be ignorant Let him remain so, and abide the consequences of his ignorance, whether real or affected.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Vv. 36-38. Or, indeed, came the Word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 37. If any man think himself to be a prophet, or inspired, let him acknowledge that what I write unto you is from the Lord. 38. But if any man be ignorant of it, let him be ignorant.
The , or (1Co 14:36), signifies, as usual with Paul at the beginning of a question: Or, indeed, if you will not admit what I say. For the two following questions, the apostle returns to the idea with which he had introduced the subject of the speaking of women: As in all the Churches…(1Co 14:33 b). Or are you the mother Church in which the preaching of the gospel took its rise, and from which it spread through the world? In that case one could understand how the Corinthians could affect complete independence. Or are you the only Church among the Gentiles to which it has come? In that case the claim to follow a course alone, and at their own pleasure, would also be intelligible. These two questions are somewhat sarcastic, as happens when one wishes to bring down presumption. The same is the case with the following verses. The apostle knows that there are leaders on the spot, who, in rivalry with him, claim to derive authority only from the Lord and from the immediate inspiration of the Spirit. Hence 1Co 14:37.
Fuente: Godet Commentary (Luke, John, Romans and 1 Corinthians)
What? [An exclamation of indignation] was it from you that the word of God went forth? or came it unto you alone? [Becoming puffed up by the fullness of their spiritual gifts, the Corinthians were acting as if they were the parent church and only church. They were assuming the right to set precedent and dictate customs, when it was their duty to conform to the precedents and customs established before they came into existence. Their pretensions needed this indignant rebuke. Others were to be considered besides themselves, others who had sounded out the word which they had received– 1Th 1:8].
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
36. Whether did the word of God come out from you, or has it culminated unto you alone? This verse is castigatory of their irregularities, ironically charging them with the disposition to originate and run a new order of things, and at the same time vindicatory of his apostolic authority to correct all of their irregularities.
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 36
The meaning is, that the church of Corinth was not the original parent church, and therefore not authorized to introduce new and unapproved usages.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
14:36 {16} What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
(16) A general conclusion of the treatise of the right use of spiritual gifts in assemblies. And this is with a sharp reprehension, lest the Corinthians might seem to themselves to be the only ones who are wise.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Concluding confrontation 14:36-40
Paul concluded his answer to the Corinthians’ question concerning spiritual gifts (chs. 12-14) and his teaching on tongues (ch. 14) with a strong call to cooperation. He zeroed in on their individualism (1Co 14:36; cf. 1Co 14:33) and confronted them on the issue of who indeed was spiritual (1Co 14:37). As a prophet of old he warned anyone who disagreed with his instructions (1Co 14:38) and finally summarized his argument (1Co 14:39-40; cf. 1Co 4:18-21).
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
In this verse Paul reminded the Corinthians that they did not set the standard for how the church meetings should proceed. Their arrogance evidently drew this warning. The Corinthian church was not the mother church nor was it the only church to which the gospel had come (cf. 1Co 11:16; 1Co 14:33 b). Therefore the Corinthian readers should submit to the apostle’s direction (cf. 1Co 9:1-23).