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Paul’s Instructions - 1 Cor. 14
Paul’s Instructions - 1 Cor. 14
Years ago, in discussing certain religious concepts with my grandmother, I showed her a scripture that directly gave Paul’s instructions on handling such. My grandmother simply asked: “Who wrote that?” To which I said ‘Paul”. Her response: “Well, there are many things I disagree with Paul about.”
At that point I politely ended that conversation, changing the subject to a non-religious one as I was apparent that quoting a verse would NOT change her mind about whatever subject was being discussed.
Yet, after Paul walked the Corinthian brethren through some troublesome situations on speaking in tongues, order in the church, the prophets/tongue speakers controlling themselves, and even the conduct of women – all of which appears would have been contested by some of the brethren, Paul affirmed:
1 Corinthians 14:37-38 – “37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment. 38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.”
Such situations have come up many other times since my encounter with my Grandmother, yet the answer that I can give is the same. Paul said. Some things are difficult to understand, many things are counter to what people are doing and believing, some things are difficult to put into our lives, BUT THEY ARE THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD – NOT JUST PAUL.
What things have you ‘disagreed with Paul’ about? How do you appraise your disagreement?
Hugh DeLong
