What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 14:36?

Did the word of God originate with you?

“Did the word of God originate with you?” (1 Corinthians 14:36a)

Paul fires off this question to jolt the Corinthians out of spiritual self-importance.

• The gospel began with God, not with any church. John 1:1–3 anchors the Word in eternity; Galatians 1:11-12 reminds us Paul himself “received it by a revelation of Jesus Christ,” not from men.

• The apostles were chosen conduits (Acts 2:42; Ephesians 2:20). Local believers are recipients, not originators.

• When a congregation starts thinking it can remodel God’s message, disorder follows—exactly what Paul is correcting in the preceding verses about tongues and prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:26-33).

• Scripture consistently grounds authority outside us: “No prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation” (2 Peter 1:20-21).

So Paul’s first question strips away any illusion that the Corinthians—or we—may innovate doctrine or worship practices at will.

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Or are you the only ones it has reached?

“Or are you the only ones it has reached?” (1 Corinthians 14:36b)

Paul’s second question exposes exclusivism.

• The same gospel is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16); it has already spread widely (Acts 19:20).

• All churches are accountable to the same apostolic teaching: “This is the rule I lay down in all the churches” (1 Corinthians 7:17).

• Elevating one group over the rest fractures the unity Christ secured (Ephesians 4:4-6; Colossians 3:15-16).

• Humility safeguards fellowship: “In humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).

By reminding the Corinthians they are part of a much larger body, Paul crushes any notion that their local customs trump the Spirit-given order binding on all believers.

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summary

Paul’s twin questions puncture pride and restore perspective. The Word neither began with us nor stops with us. We receive it, submit to it, and share it alongside the worldwide church. 1 Corinthians 14:36 therefore calls every congregation to humble obedience to Scripture’s authority and to a shared, orderly worship that reflects the unity of Christ’s body.