1 Corinthians 14 · Verse 37

1 Corinthians 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.
1 Corinthians 14:37, King James Version

1 Corinthians 14:37 in other translations

BSBIf anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.
WEBIf any man thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize the things which I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.
ASVIf any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.
YLTif any one doth think to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge the things that I write to you--that of the Lord they are commands;
DARBYIf any one thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him recognise the things that I write to you, that it is the Lord's commandment.
BBEIf any man seems to himself to be a prophet or to have the Spirit, let him take note of the things which I am writing to you, as being the word of the Lord.
WebsterIf any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

What does 1 Corinthians 14:37 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
37. prophet--the species. spiritual--the genus: spiritually endowed. The followers of Apollos prided themselves as "spiritual" (1Co 3:1-3; compare Ga 6:1). Here one capable of discerning spirits is specially meant. things that I write ... commandments of the Lord--a direct assertion of inspiration. Paul's words as an apostle are Christ's words. Paul appeals not merely to one or two, but to a body of men, for the reality of three facts about which no body of men could possibly be mistaken: (1) that his having converted them was not due to mere eloquence, but to the "demonstration of the Spirit and of power"; (2) that part of this demonstration consisted in the communication of miraculous power, which they were then exercising so generally as to require to be corrected in the irregular employment of it; (3) that among these miraculous gifts was one which enabled the "prophet" or "spiritual person" to decide whether Paul's Epistle was Scripture or not. He could not have written so, unless the facts were notoriously true: for he takes them for granted, as consciously known by the whole body of men whom he addresses [Hinds, On Inspiration].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 37. If any man think himself to be a prophet. 1Cor 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 δοκεω is, to seem to one's self; 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, etc. 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.

(b) "any man" 2Cor 10:7, 1Jn 4:6

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, etc. - 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:34-40

When the apostle exhorts Christian women to seek information on religious subjects from their husbands at home, it shows that believing families ought to assemble for promoting spiritual knowledge. The Spirit of Christ can never contradict itself; and if their revelations are against those of the apostle, they do not come from the same Spirit. The way to keep peace, truth, and order in the church, is to seek that…

Read the full comment on 1 Corinthians 14:34-40 →

1 Corinthians 14:37 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΕἴEiIfG1487
τιςtisanyoneG5100
δοκεῖdokeiconsidersG1380
προφήτηςprophētēsa prophetG4396
εἶναιeinaihimself to beG1511
ἢēorG2228
πνευματικός,pneumatikosspiritual,G4152
ἐπιγινωσκέτωepiginōsketōhe should recognizeG1921
ἃha[the] thingsG3739
γράφωgraphōI writeG1125
ὑμῖνhuminto youG4771
ὅτιhotithatG3754
κυρίουkuriouLordG2962
ἐστὶνestinisG1510
ἐντολή·entolē[the] command;G1785

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 14:37

  • 1 John 4:6

    We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

  • 2 Corinthians 10:7

    Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.

  • 2 Peter 3:2

    That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

  • Jude 1:17

    But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

    Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; …

  • 1 Corinthians 8:2

    And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

  • Romans 12:3

    For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

  • Luke 10:16

    He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:4

    For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

    Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:12-15

    But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

  • 2 Corinthians 10:12

    For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
any.
8:2; 13:1-3; Nu 24:3,4,16; Ro 12:3; 2Co 10:7,12; 11:4,12-15; Ga 6:8
let.
7:25,40; Lu 10:16; 1Th 4:1-8; 2Pe 3:2; 1Jo 4:6; Jude 1:17

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Corinthians 14:36

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

  • 1 Corinthians 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.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:38

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

Read all of 1 Corinthians 14

1 Corinthians 14:37 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Si alguno á su parecer, es profeta, ó espiritual, reconozca lo que os escribo, porque son mandamientos del Señor.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Si quelqu’un pense être prophète ou spirituel, qu’il reconnaisse que les choses que je vous écris sont le commandement du Seigneur.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wenn jemand sich dünkt, ein Prophet zu sein oder geistlich, so erkenne er, was ich euch schreibe, daß es ein Gebot des Herrn ist.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Si quis videtur propheta esse, aut spiritualis, cognoscat quæ scribo vobis, quia Domini sunt mandata.