Meaning of 1 Corinthians 14:38

This verse, 1 Corinthians 14:38, serves as a stern admonition from the Apostle Paul within his extensive discourse on spiritual gifts, particularly prophecy and speaking in tongues, in the Corinthian church. The context is Paul's instruction on the proper use and order of these gifts within corporate worship. He has emphasized the superiority of intelligible prophecy for building up the church and contrasted it with the potentially chaotic and unedifying nature of uninterpreted tongues. The verse, therefore, functions as a concluding warning, asserting that those who deliberately disregard or reject the divinely inspired guidelines he has laid out, specifically regarding the orderly exercise of spiritual gifts and the pursuit of building up the community, will face a consequence of being disregarded themselves. This is not a promise of divine abandonment in a salvific sense, but rather a statement about the practical and communal repercussions of willfully ignoring apostolic authority and the principles of edification.

Context and Background

Paul's letter to the Corinthians addresses numerous issues plaguing the church, including divisions, immorality, and the misuse of spiritual gifts. Chapter 14 is dedicated to regulating the exercise of these gifts to ensure that worship is orderly and beneficial to all. The Corinthian believers were particularly enamored with ecstatic utterances (tongues), which, without interpretation, could lead to confusion and a lack of understanding among the congregation. Paul, while affirming the validity of speaking in tongues, prioritizes prophecy because it directly communicates God's message in a way that can be understood and applied by everyone, thereby building up the church. The verse in question is the culmination of his argument for order and intelligibility in worship, a principle rooted in the character of God as a God of peace and order, not confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).

Key Themes and Messages

The core message of 1 Corinthians 14:38 revolves around obedience to apostolic instruction and the principle of edification. Paul asserts that there is a divinely sanctioned way to conduct corporate worship, one that prioritizes the spiritual growth and understanding of the entire community. To "ignore this" signifies a willful rejection of Paul's teaching, which he presents as originating from God ("If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, let him recognize that what I am writing to you is the commandment of the Lord" - 1 Corinthians 14:37). The consequence, "they will themselves be ignored," suggests that such individuals will not be recognized or respected for their spiritual contributions, nor will their voices carry weight within the community, precisely because they have chosen to disregard the established order and the clear path to building up the body of Christ. It implies a loss of spiritual authority and influence within the church.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this verse underscores the importance of humility and submission to God's revealed will and the authority He has established within the church. It warns against spiritual pride and an individualistic approach that disregards the needs and understanding of the wider community. For believers today, it calls for a discerning application of spiritual gifts, always prioritizing love and the edification of others over personal display or preference. It also highlights the potential for certain behaviors or attitudes to lead to a marginalization within the fellowship, not necessarily by formal exclusion, but by a natural consequence of their non-conformity to the principles of godly order and communal building.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse aligns with the overarching biblical narrative concerning the importance of unity and order within God's people. From the organization of Israel in the wilderness to the structure of the early church as described in the New Testament, God consistently emphasizes the need for a coherent and functional community. The Old Testament law provided a framework for Israel's worship and life, and the New Testament, through apostles like Paul, provides the framework for the church. Disobedience to God's appointed leaders and His prescribed ways of worship has historically led to disunity and a lack of divine favor, as seen in various narratives of the Old Testament. This verse reinforces that principle in the context of the New Covenant community.

Analogies

One analogy for "ignoring this, they will themselves be ignored" is a student who persistently disregards the teacher's instructions on how to complete an assignment. While the teacher may not personally punish the student, the student's work will likely be marked down or considered incomplete, effectively being "ignored" by the grading system because they failed to follow the established criteria. Another analogy is within a functioning team: if a player consistently ignores the coach's strategy and plays their own game, they will likely find themselves benched or not called upon to execute critical plays, thus being "ignored" by the team's success.

Relation to Other Verses

This verse is intricately linked to several other passages in 1 Corinthians and elsewhere.

• 1 Corinthians 14:26: "What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up." This verse directly precedes the admonition and sets the stage by emphasizing the purpose of all spiritual activities.
• 1 Corinthians 14:33: "For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints..." This verse establishes the divine character of order and peace, which underpins Paul's instructions.
• 1 Corinthians 14:37: "If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, let him recognize that what I am writing to you is the commandment of the Lord." This verse immediately precedes 14:38 and asserts the divine authority behind Paul's directives.
• Romans 12:3-8: This passage discusses the proper use of spiritual gifts within the body of Christ, emphasizing humility, love, and mutual edification, echoing the underlying principles of 1 Corinthians 14.
• Ephesians 4:11-16: This section outlines the purpose of various church offices and gifts as equipping the saints for ministry and building up the body of Christ, highlighting the importance of unity and growth.