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.
Original Language Analysis
δοκεῖ
think himself
G1380
δοκεῖ
think himself
Strong's:
G1380
Word #:
3 of 16
compare the base of g1166) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem (truthfully or uncertainly)
προφήτης
a prophet
G4396
προφήτης
a prophet
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
4 of 16
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
πνευματικός
spiritual
G4152
πνευματικός
spiritual
Strong's:
G4152
Word #:
7 of 16
non-carnal, i.e., (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (daemoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religiou
ἐπιγινωσκέτω
let him acknowledge
G1921
ἐπιγινωσκέτω
let him acknowledge
Strong's:
G1921
Word #:
8 of 16
to know upon some mark, i.e., recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge
ἃ
the things
G3739
ἃ
the things
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
9 of 16
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
γράφω
that I write
G1125
γράφω
that I write
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
10 of 16
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
12 of 16
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
1 John 4:6We 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 10:7Do 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 3:2That 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 1:17But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Historical Context
Some Corinthians likely claimed their charismatic experiences authorized ignoring Paul's regulations. He insists: true spirituality submits to apostolic teaching, which carries Christ's authority (cf. 2 Cor 10:8, 13:10).
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Paul make recognizing his authority the test of true spirituality?
- How do we balance Spirit-promptings with submission to apostolic teaching?
- What does it mean for Paul's instructions to be 'the commandments of the Lord'?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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—Greek ei tis dokei prophētēs einai ē pneumatikos, epiginōsketō ha graphō hymin hoti kyriou estin entolē (εἴ τις δοκεῖ προφήτης εἶναι ἢ πνευματικός, ἐπιγινωσκέτω ἃ γράφω ὑμῖν ὅτι κυρίου ἐστὶν ἐντολή, "if anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize what I write to you, that it is the Lord's command").
Paul's test of spirituality: recognizing apostolic authority. True prophets and spiritual people will acknowledge Paul's instructions as entolē kyriou ("commandment of the Lord"), not mere human opinion. The aorist imperative epiginōsketō ("let him recognize") demands immediate, full acknowledgment. This is Paul's trump card: reject his teaching, and you prove you're not spiritual, regardless of your claims or experiences.