36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 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. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:36-40 KJV)
Commentary
In these verses, the apostle closes his argument with a just rebuke of the Corinthians for their excessive pride and self-conceit. They managed their spiritual gifts in a way no other church did, behaving independently and resisting control or regulation. To correct this arrogant attitude, the apostle says,
“Did the gospel come from you? Or did it come to you only?” (1 Corinthians 14:36). Did Christianity originate in Corinth? Or is it limited to you alone? Are you the only church favored with divine revelations, that you would depart from the proper practices of all other churches and, to display your spiritual gifts, bring confusion into Christian assemblies? How intolerably presumptuous this behavior is! Think about it carefully.
When necessary, the apostle could rebuke with full authority, and surely his rebuke was proper here. Note: Those whose spiritual pride and self-conceit bring confusion into Christian assemblies must be reproved and humbled, even though such people will hardly bear correction, even from an apostle.
He also reminds them that what he says to them is the command of God, and no true prophet or person truly inspired would deny it (1 Corinthians 14:37):
“If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.” If anyone refuses to recognize that what I say is the will of Christ, he shows that he never had the Spirit of Christ. The Spirit of Christ cannot contradict itself; if it speaks in me and in them, it must speak the same things in both. If their revelations contradict mine, they do not come from the same Spirit—either I or they must be false prophets. By this you may know them. If they say my directions are not divine commandments, you can be sure they are not divinely inspired. But if, after all this, some remain uncertain or obstinate, they must be left under the power of their ignorance.
Note: It is just for God to leave those to the blindness of their own minds who willfully reject the truth. Those who choose to remain ignorant in so plain a case are justly left under their mistake.
He sums up all in two general instructions:
First, though they should not despise the gift of tongues or neglect it altogether, they should prefer prophecy. This is the main point of the whole argument, for prophecy is the more useful gift.
Second, he instructs them to let all things be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40), meaning they should avoid everything that is clearly indecent or disorderly. They must not use this as an excuse to introduce into Christian worship anything vain or showy that might seem to decorate it outwardly. The indecencies and disorders he had mentioned earlier were especially to be avoided. They must not act childishly (1 Corinthians 14:20), behave in ways that make them appear mad (1 Corinthians 14:23), or do anything that causes confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). Such behavior would disgrace a Christian assembly.
They were to act in an orderly manner—speaking one at a time, taking turns, and not interrupting one another. To do otherwise would defeat the purpose of Christian ministry and worship.
Note: Indecency and disorder must be carefully kept out of all Christian churches and every part of worship. There should be nothing childish, absurd, ridiculous, wild, or chaotic in it. Every part of divine worship should be conducted in a serious, rational, composed, and orderly way. God must not be dishonored, nor His worship disgraced, by improper or disorderly behavior.