1 Corinthians 14:37
New International Version
If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.

Berean Standard Bible
If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.

Berean Literal Bible
If anyone considers himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things I write to you are the commands of the Lord.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
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.

NASB 1995
If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.

NASB 1977
If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.

Legacy Standard Bible
If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.

Amplified Bible
If anyone thinks and claims that he is a prophet [a true spokesman for God] or spiritually astute [filled with and energized by the Holy Spirit], let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.

Christian Standard Bible
If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, he should recognize that what I write to you is the Lord’s command.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, he should recognize that what I write to you is the Lord’s command.

American Standard Version
If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.

Contemporary English Version
If you think of yourself as a prophet or a spiritual person, you will know I am writing only what the Lord has commanded.

English Revised Version
If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Whoever thinks that he speaks for God or that he is spiritually gifted must acknowledge that what I write to you is what the Lord commands.

Good News Translation
If anyone supposes he is God's messenger or has a spiritual gift, he must realize that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command.

International Standard Version
If anyone thinks he is a prophet or a spiritual person, he must acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command.

Majority Standard Bible
If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.

NET Bible
If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, he should acknowledge that what I write to you is the Lord's command.

New Heart English Bible
If anyone 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.

Webster's Bible Translation
If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

Weymouth New Testament
If any one deems himself to be a Prophet or a man with spiritual gifts, let him recognize as the Lord's command all that I am now writing to you.

World English Bible
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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
If anyone thinks to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge the things that I write to you—that they are commands of the LORD;

Berean Literal Bible
If anyone considers himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things I write to you are the commands of the Lord.

Young's Literal Translation
if any one doth think to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge the things that I write to you -- that of the Lord they are commands;

Smith's Literal Translation
If any think to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him observe what I write to you, that they are the commands of the Lord.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If any seem to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him know the things that I write to you, that they are the commandments of the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If anyone seems to be a prophet or a spiritual person, he should understand these things which I am writing to you, that these things are the commandments of the Lord.

New American Bible
If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or a spiritual person, he should recognize that what I am writing to you is a commandment of the Lord.

New Revised Standard Version
Anyone who claims to be a prophet, or to have spiritual powers, must acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If any one among you thinks he is a prophet, or that he is inspired by the Spirit, let him acknowledge that these things that I write to you are the commandments of our LORD.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But if any of you thinks that he is a Prophet or spiritual, let him know that these things I write to you are the commandments of Our Lord.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
If any one has the reputation of being a prophet, or spiritual man, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

Godbey New Testament
If any one seems to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him understand the things which I write to you, that they are of the Lord;

Haweis New Testament
If any man thinketh that he is a prophet, or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that the things which I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

Mace New Testament
if any one pretends to be a prophet, or to spiritual gifts, let him be assured that the rules which I have here prescrib'd, are the commandments of the Lord.

Weymouth New Testament
If any one deems himself to be a Prophet or a man with spiritual gifts, let him recognize as the Lord's command all that I am now writing to you.

Worrell New Testament
If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge the things that I write to you, that they are the Lord's commandment;

Worsley New Testament
If any one seem to be a prophet, or acted by the Spirit, let him acknowlege that what I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.
Audio Bible



Context
Orderly Worship
36Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command. 38But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored.…

Cross References
1 Corinthians 7:40
In my judgment, however, she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 11:23
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread,

1 Corinthians 2:13
And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

1 Corinthians 4:17
That is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which is exactly what I teach everywhere in every church.

1 Corinthians 9:1-2
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not my workmanship in the Lord? / Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 12:1
Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.

1 Corinthians 15:3
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

2 Corinthians 10:8
For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.

2 Corinthians 13:3
since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you but is powerful among you.

Galatians 1:11-12
For I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached was not devised by man. / I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:15-16
But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased / to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not rush to consult with flesh and blood,

Ephesians 3:3-5
that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. / In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, / which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.

1 Thessalonians 4:2
For you know the instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 4:8
Anyone, then, who rejects this command does not reject man but God, the very One who gives you His Holy Spirit.

1 Timothy 6:3
If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching,


Treasury of Scripture

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

any.

1 Corinthians 8:2
And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal…

Numbers 24:3,4,16
And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: …

let.

1 Corinthians 7:25,40
Now 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…

Luke 10:16
He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Furthermore 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…

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1 Corinthians 14
1. Prophecy is commended,
2. and preferred before speaking in tongues,
6. by a comparison drawn from musical instruments.
12. Both must be referred to edification,
22. as to their true and proper end.
26. The true use of each is taught,
27. and the abuse rebuked.
34. Women in the churches.














If anyone considers himself
This phrase challenges the self-perception of individuals within the Corinthian church. The Greek word for "considers" is "dokei," which implies a self-assessment or personal judgment. In the context of the early church, where spiritual gifts were highly esteemed, Paul is urging believers to critically evaluate their own claims to spiritual authority. This self-reflection is crucial in maintaining humility and ensuring that one's actions align with God's will rather than personal ambition.

a prophet or spiritual person
The term "prophet" refers to someone who claims to speak on behalf of God, while "spiritual person" encompasses those who believe they possess spiritual insight or gifts. In the Greek, "prophet" is "prophētēs," and "spiritual" is "pneumatikos." The early church valued prophetic gifts, but Paul emphasizes that true spiritual authority is not self-proclaimed but recognized through alignment with divine truth. This distinction is vital in discerning genuine spiritual leadership from false claims.

let him acknowledge
The Greek word "epiginōskō" is used here, meaning to recognize or fully understand. Paul is calling for a conscious and deliberate acknowledgment of the divine origin of his teachings. This acknowledgment is not merely intellectual assent but a heartfelt acceptance that leads to obedience. It underscores the importance of recognizing apostolic authority as divinely instituted, which is foundational for maintaining doctrinal purity and unity within the church.

that what I am writing to you
Paul's writings are not mere personal opinions but carry the weight of apostolic authority. The phrase "what I am writing" highlights the written nature of his instructions, which were intended to be preserved and followed by the church. This underscores the significance of Scripture as a permanent and authoritative guide for Christian living, reflecting the early church's reliance on apostolic teaching as foundational to their faith and practice.

is the Lord’s command
The phrase "the Lord’s command" asserts that Paul's instructions are not optional suggestions but divine mandates. The Greek word "entolē" for "command" indicates an authoritative directive from God. This elevates Paul's teachings to the level of divine law, requiring obedience from all believers. It emphasizes the belief that Scripture is God-breathed and authoritative, serving as the ultimate standard for faith and conduct in the life of the church.

(37) If any man think himself . . .--The best evidence of the possession of these gifts would be that their conduct was the very opposite of what they seemed to think the possession of these gifts should make it. The Apostle asserts positively that what he is now writing to them are the commandments of the Lord. There could be no clearer or more emphatic statement of St. Paul's claim to inspiration.

Verse 37. - If any man think himself to be a prophet. Test your pretensions by the capacity to recognize that I have been speaking to you what Christ approves and requires (comp. 1 John 4:6). Or spiritual. He has already said that to most of them he could only speak as carnal (1 Corinthians 3:1).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
If
Εἴ (Ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

anyone
τις (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

considers
δοκεῖ (dokei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1380: A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem.

[himself]
εἶναι (einai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

a prophet
προφήτης (prophētēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4396: From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet.

or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

spiritual person,
πνευματικός (pneumatikos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4152: Spiritual. From pneuma; non-carnal, i.e. ethereal, or a spirit, or supernatural, regenerate, religious.

let him acknowledge
ἐπιγινωσκέτω (epiginōsketō)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1921: From epi and ginosko; to know upon some mark, i.e. Recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

what
(ha)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

I am writing
γράφω (graphō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.

you
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

is
ἐστὶν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

[the] Lord’s
Κυρίου (Kyriou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

command.
ἐντολή (entolē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1785: An ordinance, injunction, command, law. From entellomai; injunction, i.e. An authoritative prescription.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 14:37 If any man thinks himself to be (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 14:36
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