1 Corinthians 14:37 Commentary and Bible Study

Of course, a truly inspired prophet would have known that Paul was right; that he was speaking by inspiration. That is obvious. But if any man does not understand that Paul, as an apostle, speaks the inspired word of God, he is not to be acknowledged. Do not recognise him as a prophet. ‘If any man be ignorant,’ – will not accept the apostolic word – ‘let him be ignorant.’ Regard him as ignorant; don’t have him on the platform as a prophet. Paul has said enough to explain these things to anyone who has a spirit that is ready to listen and be instructed. The Corinthians were to take what he had written to them and teach it; they were to implement it in the church. But Paul suspected that there would be some who would still wish to argue about these things. Patient instruction of those who oppose can go on only so long before it becomes obvious that their problem is not lack of knowledge but a stubborn refusal to be taught and to yield to instruction. That needs a different sort of response. There comes a point where ignorance is self-inflicted and those who minister must turn away and leave the ignorant to their ignorance. The problem is not a failure to explain things clearly enough. We will still continue to pray for them, and hopefully the Lord will bring them to their senses, but it may be a sign that they have never really submitted to the authority of the word.