"Did the word of God come originally from you?"
Text: 1 Corinthians 14:36
EXPECTED PROTESTS
Paul knew how the Corinthians would respond. Some would understand and accept. But there would also be others who would protest! The issue revolved around the “word of God!”
“Or did the word of God come originally from you?
Or was it you only that it reached?”
1 Corinthians 14:36
1. “The word of God”
a) The Word of God
i) It is authoritative.
ii) It is central.
iii) It is foundational.
b) The word was preached and taught
i) By the Lord Jesus Himself.
ii) By the Apostles of Christ.
2. “Did the Word of God come originally from you?”
a) What does this mean?
b) The Corinthians response was far from positive.
i) They resisted the way Paul taught and preached the Word of God (especially 1 Corinthians 12-14).
ii) They felt that Paul’s teaching was too strict and restrictive.
c) Paul had to remind them.
i) The word of God did not originate from them.
ii) The word of God came from the Lord Himself.
iii) People may accept or reject the word of God.
iv) But they were not free to manipulate the word of God in any way.
v) Believers are but recipients of the Word of God! No one is allowed to add to the Word nor subtract from it (Deuteronomy 4:2).
3. “Or was it you only that it reached?”
a) The Corinthians were not the only recipients of the word of God.
b) The same word was preached all over the world (Colossians 1:6).
c) There was no reason for the Corinthians to feel that they were so special that the word of God was given only to them.
d) Paul had to reprove and correct the Corinthians for their poor regard for the word of God!