1 Corinthians 14:37

Contextual Overview

³⁶ God's teaching did not come from you, and you are not the only ones who have received it. ³⁶ What! Did the word of God originate with you, or are you the only ones it has reached? ³⁶ Sproge ye worde of god fro you? Ether came it vnto you only? ³⁶ What? Was it from you that the word of God went forth? Or did it come to you alone? ³⁶ Did God's word originate with you? Are you the only people it has reached? ³⁶ Or was it from you that the word of God first went out? Or has it come to you only? ³⁶ Did God's teaching come from you? Or are you the only ones to whom it has come? ³⁶ What? was it from you that the word of God went forth? or did it come to you alone? ³⁶ What? came the word of God out from you? or came it to you only? ³⁶ Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached?

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

any: 1 Corinthians 8:2, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Numbers 24:3, Numbers 24:4, Numbers 24:16, Romans 12:3, 2 Corinthians 10:7, 2 Corinthians 10:12, 2 Corinthians 11:4, 2 Corinthians 11:12-15, Galatians 6:8

let: 1 Corinthians 7:25, 1 Corinthians 7:40, Luke 10:16, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, 2 Peter 3:2, 1 John 4:6, Jude 1:17

Reciprocal: Matthew 28:20 - them Luke 8:18 - seemeth to have Acts 8:31 - How Acts 15:28 - it 1 Corinthians 2:15 - he that 1 Corinthians 9:3 - them 1 Corinthians 12:1 - spiritual 1 Corinthians 14:1 - prophesy 2 Corinthians 12:20 - debates Galatians 6:1 - spiritual 1 Thessalonians 5:20 - General 2 Thessalonians 3:4 - that

Gill's Notes on the Bible

If any man think himself to be a prophet,.... Or "seems to be a prophet", and is really one; for the apostle does not so much design to strike at the pride, vanity, and appearances of false prophets, as to observe, that those that are really prophets, have the gift of prophesy, either of foretelling future events, or a peculiar gift of preaching the Gospel, and explaining the Scriptures, will allow what he had said to be right:

or spiritual; not merely one that has the Spirit of God, is regenerated and sanctified by him, in opposition to a natural and carnal man; or one that has a larger knowledge of spiritual things, in distinction from a babe in Christ; but one that is endued with spiritual gifts, with the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit, with a discerning of spirits; as there were such among them no doubt, as well as prophets, and who were distinct from them, having the word of wisdom and knowledge:

let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord; if he is a true prophet, and really a spiritual man, he will clearly see, and therefore ought to own, that the rules here prescribed concerning speaking with tongues and prophesying, and concerning the intolerableness, unlawfulness, and indecency of women's speaking in public assemblies, are perfectly agreeable to the commands of Christ, and are to be esteemed as such, being delivered under the influence and direction of his Spirit; and which the prophet and spiritual man must discern and allow, if they have the Spirit of God; for whatever was commanded by the apostles under divine inspiration, was all one as if immediately commanded by Christ himself.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

If any man think himself to be a prophet - See the note at 1 Corinthians 14:1. If any man claim to be divinely endowed. Macknight renders it, “be really a prophet.” But the more correct meaning here is, doubtless, “If any man “profess” to be a prophet; or is “reputed” to be a prophet.” Bloomfield. The proper meaning of the word δοκέω dokeō is to seem to oneself; to be of opinion, to suppose, believe, etc.; and the reference here is to one who should “regard himself,” or who should believe and profess to be thus endowed.

Or spiritual - Regarding himself as under the extraordinary influence of the Spirit.

Let him acknowledge ... - He will show that he is truly under the influence of the Holy Spirit, by acknowledging my authority, and by yielding obedience to the commands which I utter in the name and by the authority of the Lord. All would probably be disposed to acknowledge the right of Paul to speak to them; all would regard him as an apostle; and all would show that God had influenced their hearts, if they listened to his commands, and obeyed his injunctions. I do not speak by my own authority, or in my own name, says Paul. I speak in the name of the Lord; and to obey the commands of the Lord is a proof of being influenced by his Spirit. True religion everywhere, and the most ardent and enthusiastic zeal that is prompted by true religion, will show their genuineness and purity by a sacred and constant regard for the commands of the Lord. And that zeal which disregards those commands, and which tramples down the authority of the Scriptures and the peace and order of the church, gives demonstration that it is not genuine. It is false zeal, and, however ardent, will not ultimately do good to the cause.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 37. If any man think himself to be a prophet, c.] He who is really a spiritual man, under the influence of the Spirit of God, and capable of teaching the Divine will, he will acknowledge that what I now say is from the same Spirit and that the things which I now write are the commandments of God, and must be obeyed on pain of his displeasure.