1 Corinthians 14:37

The term δοκεῖ εἶναι, thinks himself to be, denotes a claim true or false.

We must not give to the word πνευματικός, spiritual, hence inspired, too restricted a sense, according to which it would denote a class different from the prophets, as is done by the commentators who regard this term as designating only the glossolaletes (Baur, Heinrici). It is more natural to understand the ἤ, or, in the sense: or in general, as 1 Corinthians 4:3, so that the term spiritual comprehends the prophets also. The best way for these organs of the Spirit to prove the reality of their inspiration will be, the apostle declares, their perceiving his superior wisdom and apostolic authority, not criticising his ordinances, but rendering practical homage to their excellence by conforming to them: the Spirit should acknowledge the Spirit.

The ἃ γράφω, the things that I write, is at once the object of ἐπιγινωσκέτω, let him acknowledge, and the subject of the following proposition: “Let him acknowledge the things that I write as being ”...etc.

The three families of MSS. have each their own reading in the following clause. The shortest and most sober is that of the Greco-Lats.: “That the things which I write are the Lord's. ” The Alex. add the idea of commandment: “are a commandment of the Lord.” So also the Byz., but putting the word commandment in the plural. One would naturally be inclined to give the preference to the first reading. But is it not possible that the word commandment, in the singular or plural, was rejected because it was taken in the meaning attached to it in 1 Corinthians 7:10, to denote a precept uttered on the earth by the Lord Jesus, and because no such saying was found in the Gospels? If the term ἐντολή, commandment, is authentic, it is hard to know whether to prefer the singular or the plural. The singular may have been substituted for the plural from regard to the Divine precept quoted 1 Corinthians 14:34. But the plural may also have been introduced in order better to bring under this term all the many preceding ordinances.

However that may be, the apostle here expresses the intimate consciousness he has of not having directed the Church, while settling these delicate questions, in ways of his own choice, but of having been guided by the light which is assured to him as an apostle charged with founding and governing the Church of the Gentiles; comp. Romans 12:3. It is with this elevated conviction of his apostolic inspiration that he adds the following words, 1 Corinthians 14:38.