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. PROPHET - the species. SPIRITUAL - the genus: spiritually endowed. The followers of Apollos prided themselves as "spiritual" (1 Corinthians 3:1). Here one capable of discerning spirits is specially meant. THINGS THAT I WRITE ... COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD, ('Aleph (') A B C read the singular, referring to the last commandment alone; namely, that women should be silent in church-`that it is the commandment of the Lord.' The Vulgate supports the Received Text) - a direct assertion of inspiration. Paul's words 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...

37._If any one thinks himself. _Mark here the judgment, which he had previously assigned to the Prophets — that they should receive what they recognised as being from God. He does not, however, desire them to inquire as to his doctrine, as though it were a doubtful matter, but to receive it as the sure word of God, inasmuch as they will recognize it as the word of God, if they judge rightly. Farther, it is in virtue of apostolical authority, that he takes it upon himself to prescribe to them the sentence which they ought to pronounce. (888) There is still greater confidence in what he immediately adds — He _that is ignorant, let him be ignorant. _This, it is true, was allowable for Paul, who was fully assured as to the revelation that he had received from God, and he ought also to have been well known to the Corinthians, so that they should have looked upon him in no other light, than as...

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 which is good for it, to bear with that which is not hurtful to its welfare, and to keep up good behaviour, order, and decency....

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....

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 acknowle

EXPOSITION 1 CORINTHIANS 14:1 _The_ _gift of preaching superior to the gift_ _tongues_. 1 CORINTHIANS 14:1 FOLLOW AFTER CHARITY; literally, _chase; pursue. _The word is one of which St. Paul is fond (Romans 9:30, Romans 9:31; Romans 13:13; Romans 14:19;...

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 wis...

4. PROPHECY AND SPEAKING WITH A TONGUE. CHAPTER 14 _ 1. Prophecy the better gift. (1 Corinthians 14:1 .)_ 2. Intelligibility demanded. (1 Corinthians 14:14 .) 3. Practical instructions for the public use of these gifts. (1 Corinthians 14:26 .) It is evident from the contents of this chapter that the Corinthians had unduly magnified the gift of speaking in a strange tongue. It had a spectacular aspect which they enjoyed. He therefore shows them that the gift of prophecy is more to be coveted than speaking in an unknown tongue. The speaking in an unknown tongue is intelligible to God, but he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, e

Paul now lays down the rules. At present at their assemblies all are eager to speak in one way or another. But the edification of the Church is to be the governing principle. Two may speak in tongues, three at most and in succession; an interpretation must be given; if no one of them has this gift, the gift of tongues must be restricted to inward utterance, it must not be vocally exercised. Two or three prophets may speak, while the others practise the gift of discernment on his utterance. The communication of a revelation to another is a token that the speaker must close his address. There is no hardship in the restriction of numbers or the abrupt close of an address; there will be future opportunities. Nor is such silence impossible, for each prophet has his gift in his own control. This is clear from the very nature of God; He is a God of peace and order, and can be the source of no i...

THE FALSE AND THE TRUE WORSHIP (1 Corinthians 14:1-19)...