1 Corinthians 14:38

1 Corinthians 14:38

But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

a. ASV: But if any man is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

b. YLT: And if any one is ignorant -- let him be ignorant;

c. Classic Amplified: But if anyone disregards or does not recognize [[h]that it is a command of the Lord], he is disregarded and not recognized [he is [i]one whom God knows not].

1. “But if any man be ignorant…”

a. But [Strong: 1161 dé, deh; a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:—also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

b. If [any man] [Strong: 1487 ei, i; a primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.:—forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether. Often used in connection or composition with other particles, especially as in G1489, G1490, G1499, G1508, G1509, G1512, G1513, G1536, G1537. See also G1437.]

c. [Strong: 5100 tìs, tis; an enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object:—a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), × wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever).]

d. [be] ignorant [Strong: 50 agnoéō, ag-no-eh'-o; from G1 (as a negative particle) and G3539; not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication, to ignore (through disinclination):—(be) ignorant(-ly), not know, not understand, unknown.]

1). Albert Barnes Commentary:  If anyone affects to be ignorant of my authority, or whether I have a right to command. If he affects to doubt whether I am inspired, and whether what I utter is in accordance with the will of God.

2). D.C.: Ignorant of the commands of the LORD concerning the regulations of the gifts of the Spirit kinds of tongues and interpretation of tongues.

2. “...let him be ignorant.”

a. [let him be] ignorant [Strong: 50 agnoéō, ag-no-eh'-o; from G1 (as a negative particle) and G3539; not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication, to ignore (through disinclination):—(be) ignorant(-ly), not know, not understand, unknown.]

1). Charles Elliott’s Commentary:  There are here two readings in the Greek, for each of which there is strong evidence. The passage may run, either, as in the English, if any man does not know this, let him not know it: then the words would mean that a person who could not recognise such an evident and simple truth must be of a perverse mind—his opposition would give the Apostle no further concern. The other reading is, if any man knows not this, he is himself not known: this would signify that any man who knows not this truth is not known of God (as in 1Corinthians 8:2-3; 1Corinthians 13:12).

2). Albert Barnes Commentary: At his own peril, let him remain so, and abide the consequences. I shall not take any further trouble to debate with him. I have stated my authority. I have delivered the commands of God. And now, if he disregards them, and still doubts whether all this is said by divine authority, let him abide the consequences of rejecting the law of God. I have given full proof of my divine commission. I have nothing more to say on that head. And now, if he chooses to remain in ignorance or incredulity, the fault is his own, and he must answer for it to God.

3). Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary: if any man be ignorant—wilfully; not wishing to recognize these ordinances and my apostolic authority in enjoining them. Let him be ignorant—I leave him to his ignorance: it will be at his own peril; I feel it a waste of words to speak anything further to convince him. An argument likely to have weight with the Corinthians, who admired "knowledge" so much.