How does 1 Corinthians 14:37 affirm Paul's authority as a command from the Lord? Context of 1 Corinthians 14:37 • “If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.” • Placed near the close of a chapter on orderly worship, the verse clarifies that the instructions just given—regarding tongues, prophecy, and orderly assembly—carry divine authority, not merely human advice. Paul’s Explicit Claim • Paul speaks without hesitation: his words are “the Lord’s command.” • Anyone claiming spiritual stature must recognize this authority; refusal exposes counterfeit spirituality. • By tying acceptance of his letter to genuine spirituality, Paul links obedience to his writings with obedience to Christ. New Testament Witness to Paul’s Authority • Acts 9:15—The Lord tells Ananias that Paul is “My chosen instrument.” • Acts 18:9-10—The risen Christ personally commissions Paul in Corinth: “Do not be afraid… I have many people in this city.” • Galatians 1:11-12—Paul received the gospel “through a revelation of Jesus Christ,” not from men. • 2 Peter 3:15-16—Peter treats Paul’s letters as Scripture, equating them with “the rest of the Scriptures.” • 1 Thessalonians 2:13—Believers accepted Paul’s message “not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God.” Connection to Jesus’ Teaching • John 13:20—“Whoever receives the one I send receives Me.” Recognizing Paul’s words equals receiving Christ’s words. • Matthew 10:40—Jesus links His messengers’ authority directly to His own. Apostolic Pattern of Command • Commands in the epistles are given with the same weight as Old Testament commandments (e.g., 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, “not I, but the Lord”). • Paul differentiates personal opinion from divine mandate when appropriate, underscoring integrity (1 Corinthians 7:12, “I, not the Lord”). Here, by contrast, he asserts direct command. Implications for the Church • Paul’s letters are binding Scripture; they carry Christ’s authority for doctrine, church order, and personal conduct. • Authentic spirituality submits to apostolic teaching preserved in the New Testament. • Unity and order in worship flow from obedience to these inspired instructions. Summary 1 Corinthians 14:37 stands as a clear self-attestation: Paul’s guidance is “the Lord’s command.” Supported by Christ’s personal commissioning, confirmation from other apostles, and recognition by the early church, this verse anchors Paul’s authority firmly in divine revelation, calling every believer to receive his writings as the very word of God. |
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