1 Corinthians 14:38

38 And if any man not knoweth [Forsooth if any man unknoweth], he shall be unknowing.

1 Corinthians 14:38 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 14:38

But if any man be ignorant
Of "these" words, as the Arabic version adds, and does not know and own them to be the commandments of Christ; though he may profess himself to be a prophet, or a spiritual man, he is a very ignorant one, and has not the Spirit of God he pretends to: and if he will not be convinced, but goes on to doubt, and call in question the truth of these things, and obstinately persist in his ignorance,

let him be ignorant:
let him be treated and despised as an ignorant man; and let his ignorance be no hinderance to any in receiving these rules and directions as the commandments of Christ; for no regard is to be had, or pity shown, to a man of affected ignorance, and wilful obstinacy; such a man is not to be known and owned, but shunned and rejected.

1 Corinthians 14:38 In-Context

36 Whether the word of God came forth of you, or to you alone it came?
37 If any man is seen to be a prophet, or spiritual, know he those things that I write to you, for those be the commandments of the Lord [know he the things that I write to you, for they be the commandments of the Lord].
38 And if any man not knoweth [Forsooth if any man unknoweth], he shall be unknowing.
39 Therefore, brethren, love ye to prophesy, and do not ye forbid to speak in tongues.
40 But be all things done seemly [Forsooth be all things done honestly], and by due order in you.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.