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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
Parallel translations
  • WEB If 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.
  • BSB If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.
  • NKJV If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.
  • NASB If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.
  • NLT If you claim to be a prophet or think you are spiritual, you should recognize that what I am saying is a command from the Lord himself.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

Anyone truly prophetic or spiritual will recognize Paul's instructions as the Lord's command. It matters because apostolic teaching carries Christ's own authority.

Overview

Paul ties the test of genuine spirituality to acceptance of his God-given instruction rather than to ecstatic gifts. What he writes is not mere opinion but the commandment of the Lord, so a person filled with the Spirit will gladly submit to it. This affirms the divine authority of Scripture and points to Christ, whose voice is heard through His apostles.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 17

  • 1 Jn 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 Cor 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 Pet 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;
  • 1 Th 4:1–8Furthermore 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.
  • Gal 6:8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
  • 2 Cor 11:4For 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.
  • 2 Cor 11:12–15But 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.
  • 2 Cor 10:12For 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.
  • 1 Cor 7:25Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
  • Num 24:3–4And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
  • Rom 12:3For 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 10:16He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
  • 1 Cor 8:2And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
  • 1 Cor 13:1–3Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
  • 1 Cor 7:40But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
  • Num 24:16He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:

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Christ at the center

Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.

How 1 Corinthians 14:37 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

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