1 Corinthians 14:37

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Εἴ
if, whether, that, etc
#2
τις
some or any person or object
#3
δοκεῖ
think himself
compare the base of g1166) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem (truthfully or uncertainly)
#4
προφήτης
a prophet
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
#5
εἶναι
to be
to exist
#6
or
disjunctive, or; comparative, than
#7
πνευματικός
spiritual
non-carnal, i.e., (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (daemoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religiou
#8
ἐπιγινωσκέτω
let him acknowledge
to know upon some mark, i.e., recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge
#9
the things
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#10
γράφω
that I write
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
#11
ὑμῖν
unto you
to (with or by) you
#12
ὅτι
that
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#13
τοῦ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#14
κυρίου
of the Lord
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
#15
εἰσὶν
are
they are
#16
ἐντολαί·
the commandments
injunction, i.e., an authoritative prescription

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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