claims divine authority. The specification of prophets and spiritual persons shows that the reference is primarily to the whole contents of this chapter. All the directions which he had given with respect to the exercise of spiritual gifts were of divine authority. What is true, however, of this chapter, is no less true of all apostolical instructions ; because they all rest on the same foundation. Are the commandments of the Lord^ i. e. of Christ, because he is the person known in the Christian church as Lord. The continued influence of Christ by the Spirit over the minds of his apostles, which is a divine prerogative, is here assumed or asserted.
38. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ig- norant.
That is, if any man be ignorant or refuses to acknowledge the divine authority of my instructions, let him be ignorant. Paul would neither attempt to convince him, nor waste time in disputing the point. Where the evidence of any truth is abundant and has been clearly presented, those who reject it should be left to act on their own responsibility. Further disputation can do no good.
39. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
Prophecy and the gift of tongues are the two gifts of which this chapter treats. The former is to be preferred to the lat- ter. The one is to be coveted, i. e. earnestly desired and sought after ; the exercise of the other, even in Christian as- semblies, was not to be prohibited ; provided, as stated above, any one be present who possessed the gift of interpretation.
40. Let all things be done decently and in order.
Decently^ i. e. in such a way as not to oflend against pro- priety. The adjective, the adverbial form of which is here used, means well-formed^ comely ; that which excites the pleasing emotion of beauty. The exhortation therefore is, so to conduct their worship that it may be beautiful ; in other words, so as to make a pleasing impression on all who are right-minded. And in order {ko-to. ra^ti/), not tumultuously as in a mob, but as in a well-ordered army, where every one