1 Corinthians 14 36

1 Corinthians 14:36 kjv

What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

1 Corinthians 14:36 nkjv

Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached?

1 Corinthians 14:36 niv

Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?

1 Corinthians 14:36 esv

Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached?

1 Corinthians 14:36 nlt

Or do you think God's word originated with you Corinthians? Are you the only ones to whom it was given?

1 Corinthians 14 verses

1 Corinthians 14 36 Meaning

The verse 1 Corinthians 14:36 serves as a sharp rhetorical question, a stern rebuke by Paul to the Corinthian church. It challenges their sense of self-importance and exclusivity regarding divine revelation. Paul questions whether they believe the Word of God originated from them, or if they are the sole recipients of its truth. This highlights their spiritual arrogance and disorderly practices, especially concerning their perceived authority in worship and the improper conduct that suggested they held unique, ultimate spiritual wisdom.

1 Corinthians 14 36 Context

First Corinthians chapter 14 addresses the chaotic state of public worship in the Corinthian church, specifically concerning the exercise of spiritual gifts, particularly tongues and prophecy. Paul emphasizes the importance of edification, order, and understanding within the assembly. He provides regulations for speaking in tongues and prophesying, stressing that all must be done "for the upbuilding of the church" (v. 26). The verses immediately preceding 14:36 (vv. 34-35) discuss women keeping silent in the churches, a highly debated instruction often linked to order and authority. Verse 36 acts as Paul's decisive rhetorical hammer, driving home his argument about authority and order by exposing the Corinthians' underlying spiritual arrogance. It critiques any self-perceived exclusivity or superiority in their understanding or manifestation of God's revelation, serving as a climax to his instructions for proper conduct in worship.

Historically, Corinth was a cosmopolitan port city, wealthy but prone to moral decay and social divisions. The church reflected many of these characteristics, struggling with pride, factions, and misunderstanding of Christian liberty and spiritual gifts. Paul's letters continually address their misapplication of truth and tendency to assert individual or group importance over the collective good of the Body of Christ. This verse thus stands as a direct challenge to any Corinthian assumption that their local congregation possessed a unique or ultimate understanding of divine revelation, enabling them to disregard the universal standards of Christian conduct and order.

1 Corinthians 14 36 Word analysis

• What? (Ἢ - Ē): This is a strong interrogative particle used to introduce a rhetorical question, expressing surprise, indignation, or strong challenge. It signals Paul's exasperation and calls for the Corinthians to seriously consider the implication of their actions. It's a sharp, almost accusatory interjection, implying an obvious negative answer.
• came (ἐξῆλθεν - exēlthen): Aorist active indicative of exerchomai (to come out, go forth, proceed). Here it carries the nuance of origin or source. Paul is questioning if the "word of God" literally originated from them, implying they see themselves as the primary source or ultimate authority.
• the word of God (ὁ τοῦ Θεοῦ λόγος - ho tou Theou logos): This phrase denotes divine revelation, the authoritative message from God. It refers broadly to the gospel, prophecy, inspired teaching, and Scripture. The emphasis is on its divine origin, contrasting with any human claim to its inception.
• out from you (ἀφ' ὑμῶν - aph' hymōn): "Out from" or "from among you." This prepositional phrase emphasizes the source or origin. Paul questions if the Corinthians perceive themselves as the fountainhead of divine truth, as if it was their own unique production or discovery. This implies an extreme form of spiritual arrogance and self-sufficiency.
• or (ἢ - Ē): Again, the same rhetorical interrogative particle, introducing the second part of the cutting alternative. It serves to intensify the rhetorical punch, offering another absurd possibility.
• came it (κατήντησεν - katēntēsen): Aorist active indicative of katantaō (to arrive at, to reach, to attain). This verb suggests an exclusive destination. Paul questions if they believe they are the only ones to whom this divine revelation has reached or arrived.
• unto you only? (εἰς ὑμᾶς μόνους - eis hymas monous): "Unto you alone." Monous (μόνους) means "alone, only." This part of the rhetorical question targets the idea of exclusivity. It challenges any notion that they are uniquely privileged recipients of God's Word, as if they hold a monopoly on spiritual understanding or revelation, distinguishing themselves above all other churches and believers.

• "What? came the word of God out from you?": This phrase vehemently refutes any claim of the Corinthians' local or self-derived authority. Paul challenges their actions as if they considered themselves the source or creators of divine revelation. This implicitly corrects any presumption of their own wisdom or independent spiritual insight taking precedence over the broader Christian tradition and divine order.
• "or came it unto you only?": This second part challenges any claim of exclusivity. It addresses their parochialism or belief that they possess a unique, ultimate revelation unavailable to others. Paul asserts that God's Word is universal, not confined to one community, countering their apparent spiritual pride and elitism. The combination of these two questions forms a devastating rhetorical attack on their self-conceited behavior.

1 Corinthians 14 36 Bonus section

The power of 1 Corinthians 14:36 lies in its highly effective use of rhetorical questions. Paul doesn't explicitly state "The word of God did not come from you, nor to you only." Instead, he asks questions where the obvious answer is a resounding "No." This method is more impactful than a direct statement, forcing the audience to confront their illogical and arrogant assumptions themselves. It's designed to shame and humble them, bringing them to the realization of their misjudgment and impertinence. This style of argument is typical of Paul when he addresses underlying spiritual pride or flawed theological reasoning in his readers. The implications extend beyond just the specific issues of silence of women or disorderly prophecy; they challenge any Christian group that elevates its own unique experience or understanding above the universal revelation and communal order of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14 36 Commentary

Paul's pointed questions in 1 Corinthians 14:36 are a masterful rhetorical stroke, functioning as the climactic rebuke to the disorder and spiritual arrogance he observed in Corinth. The core issue is authority: who determines proper conduct in the church and who holds the true revelation of God? By asking if the "word of God" originated from them or arrived only to them, Paul strips away any basis for their self-exalting, disorderly practices.

He underscores two fundamental truths:

1. Divine Origin of Revelation: The Word of God comes from God (Ps 33:6, 2 Tim 3:16, 2 Pet 1:21), not from any human source or specific church. Any claim to authorship or superior insight by the Corinthians is blasphemous and arrogant.
2. Universal Nature of the Gospel: God's revelation is for all believers and all churches (Mk 16:15, Col 1:6), not confined to one exclusive group. The Corinthians could not act as if their particular customs or understandings superseded the universal practices and theological principles established elsewhere by the apostles.

The verse dismantles their spiritual elitism and reminds them of their place within the broader, ordered Body of Christ. Their behavior, particularly regarding disorderly prophecy and the inappropriate speech of women mentioned just prior, suggested a hubris that challenged Paul's apostolic authority and the universal Christian teaching (1 Cor 14:33). It is a call to humility and conformity to the patterns of all Christian assemblies, where God's order, not human preference or pride, prevails (1 Cor 14:40).

Examples for practical usage:

• A church thinking its specific doctrines are the only truth, disregarding other sound interpretations within Christianity.
• An individual claiming special revelation that contradicts established Scripture and universal Christian teaching.
• A local assembly becoming insular, believing it has a superior anointing or unique authority over other congregations, leading to judgmentalism or isolation.