1 Corinthians 14:38
in 1 Corinthians 14But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
But if any man is ignorant, let him be ignorant.
KJV
But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
⋯
This verse in 1 Corinthians 14
Commentary
8 notes on this verseBut if any man be ignorant - If he affect to be so, or pretend that he is ignorant; let him be ignorant - let him be so at his peril.
This site's exposition
If anyone considers himself a prophet
on 1 Corinthians 14:37-38
Paul closes with apostolic authority: anyone who considers himself a prophet or spiritual must acknowledge that his writing is the Lord's command. The claim answers any Corinthian tempted to set personal revelation above the apostle's instruction.
This site's exposition
But if anyone ignores this
Greek copies differ by one letter here. Some read a command that leaves the one who ignores this in his ignorance, and others read that he will be ignored, the Berean wording.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
Next, what is strongest of all he puts last, saying, "God ordains these things even at this time by me." "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 commandments of the Lord. But if any man is ignorant, let him be ignorant." And wherefore did he add this? Intimating that he is not using violence nor contention, which is a sign of them who wish not to set up their own things, but aim at what is profitable to others. Wherefore also in another place he saith, "But if any man seemeth to be contentious, we have no such custom." (1 Cor. 11:16) But he doth not this everywhere, but only where the offences are not very great, and then rather as putting them to shame. Since when he discourses of other sins, he speaks not thus. But how? "Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor effeminate, shall inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Cor. 6:9-10) And again, "Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing." (Gal. 5:2.) But here, since his discourse was of silence, he doth not very keenly inveigh against them, by this very thing attracting them the more.
The Medieval Church2 voices
That is to say: I have spoken; whoever wishes, let him believe. Such a tone of speech shows a man who is not striving to fulfill his own desire, but who has in view the common benefit. This is what Paul usually does when it …
But they could say: O Apostle, how am I to know that these are commands of God? I am unable to know this. The Apostle excludes this, saying: This is of no value to you, because you should not be ignorant. Why? Because anyone who …
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
But if any man be ignorant,....
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
But if any be ignorant ... - If anyone affects to be ignorant of my authority, or whether I have a right to command. If he affects to doubt whether I am inspired, and whether what I utter is in accordance with the will of God. Let him be ignorant - At his own peril, let him remain so, and abide the consequences. I shall not take any further trouble to debate with him. I have stated my authority. I have delivered the commands of God. And now, if he disregards them, and still doubts whether all this is said by divine authority, let him abide the consequences of rejecting the law of God. I have given full proof of my divine commission. I have nothing more to say on that head. And now, if he chooses to remain in ignorance or incredulity, the fault is his own, and he must answer for it to God.
The words behind it
5 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| εἰ | ei | If | G1487 → | 508 times |
| δέ | de | however | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| τις | tis | anyone | G5100 → | 528 times |
| ἀγνοεῖ, | agnoei | is ignorant, | G50 → | 22 times |
| ἀγνοεῖται.¶ | agnoeitai | him is ignored. | G50 → | 22 times |
εἰIf
eiG1487 →508 times
δέhowever
deG1161 →2765 times
τιςanyone
tisG5100 →528 times
ἀγνοεῖ,is ignorant,
agnoeiG50 →22 times
ἀγνοεῖται.¶him is ignored.
agnoeitaiG50 →22 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Matthew 7:6Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
it leads to
- Proverbs 9:7–8
He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
- Proverbs 23:9
Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
- Matthew 10:14–15
And if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.
- Proverbs 26:11
As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
- Matthew 15:26
But Jesus replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
- Proverbs 9:7–8
Through
Hosea 4:17Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!
it leads to
- Psalms 81:12
So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.
- Revelation 22:11
Let the unrighteous continue to be unrighteous, and the vile continue to be vile; let the righteous continue to practice righteousness, and the holy continue to be holy.”
- Hosea 4:4
But let no man contend; let no man offer reproof; for your people are like those who contend with a priest.
- Psalms 81:12
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies10
About 1 Corinthians
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Charles Hodge, An Exposition of the First Epistle to the Corinthians; John Chrysostom, Homilies on First Corinthians; John Chrysostom, Homily on 1 Corinthians 37; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 1 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 1 Corinthians.