LET HIM BE IGNORANT - WILLFUL IGNORANCE AND REFUSAL OF SOUND DOCTRINE
1 Corinthians 14:38 (KJV)
âBut if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.â
This verse is often misunderstood because people read it by itself without the context of the chapter. Paul is not encouraging ignorance, approving false doctrine, or saying truth does not matter. In context, Paul is giving a serious warning to people who refuse to acknowledge the authority of the revelation Christ gave through him.
The Context of 1 Corinthians 14 â 1 Corinthians 14 is dealing with confusion, disorder, and misuse of spiritual gifts in the Corinthian assembly. The Corinthians were elevating tongues, interrupting one another, speaking chaotically, and acting spiritually prideful.
Paul spends the chapter correcting themâŚ
⢠Prophecy is greater than uninterpreted tongues (vv. 1-5)
⢠Everything must edify the church (v. 26)
⢠God is not the author of confusion (v. 33)
⢠Things are to be done âdecently and in orderâ (v. 40)
Then Paul says something extremely importantâŚ
1 Corinthians 14:37 (KJV)
âIf any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.â
That is the immediate context of verse 38.
Paul says that if someone truly claims to be spiritual, they must acknowledge the authority of what Paul is writing. Why? Because Paulâs doctrine came directly from the risen Lord Jesus Christ by revelation.
Galatians 1:11-12 (KJV)
âBut I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.â
So when Paul saysâŚ
âBut if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.â
He is essentially sayingâŚ
âIf someone refuses to acknowledge the truth after it has been clearly revealed, leave him in his ignorance.â
This is not ignorance from lack of opportunity.
This is willful refusal to receive truth!!
It is similar to someone who continually rejects sound doctrine no matter how plainly Scripture is shown to them.
The Bible speaks of different kinds of ignorance.
1. Ignorance from not knowing
Sometimes ignorance simply means someone has not yet learned the truth.
Acts 17:30 (KJV)
âAnd the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:â
Paul is speaking about Gentiles who did not previously know the truth.
Ephesians 4:18 (KJV)
âHaving the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in themâŚâ
This kind of ignorance can be corrected through teaching and hearing the Word.
2. Willful ignorance
This is when people reject truth that has been presented to them.
2 Peter 3:5 (KJV)
âFor this they willingly are ignorant ofâŚâ
This is much more serious.
Romans 1 describes people who suppress truth they already know.
Romans 1:21 (KJV)
âBecause that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as GodâŚâ
This is not innocent ignorance.
This is rejection of truth.
That is the kind of ignorance closest to 1 Corinthians 14:38.
Paulâs Warning About Rejecting Truth
Paul repeatedly warned about people refusing sound doctrine.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (KJV)
âFor the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrineâŚ
And they shall turn away their ears from the truthâŚâ
Romans 16:17 (KJV)
âMark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.â
Titus 1:16 (KJV)
âThey profess that they know God; but in works they deny himâŚâ
There comes a point where someone has heard the truth repeatedly and still refuses it. Paulâs instruction is not to endlessly strive and argue with people who are determined to reject the Word rightly divided.
2 Timothy 2:23 (KJV)
âBut foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.â
What 1 Corinthians 14:38 Does NOT Mean
This verse does NOT meanâŚ
⢠Doctrine does not matter
⢠Truth is optional
⢠Christians should stay ignorant
⢠We should stop learning Scripture
⢠Paul did not care whether people believed truth
In fact, the entire chapter proves the opposite.
Paul is defending doctrinal authority and order in the church.
The Principle for Us Today
There is a difference betweenâŚ
⢠Someone honestly learning
and
⢠Someone refusing truth no matter how much Scripture is shown
We should patiently teach those who are learning.
2 Timothy 2:24-25 (KJV)
âAnd the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselvesâŚâ
But eventually, if someone continually rejects clear truth, argues endlessly, and refuses the authority of Scripture rightly divided, there comes a point where you simply let them remain in their chosen ignorance.
That is the force ofâŚ
âBut if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.â
It is not permission to be ignorant.
It is a solemn acknowledgment that some people refuse truth even when it is plainly given.
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Study the WordâŚStand in Grace
Romans 7 teaches that the law does not create sin; it brings to light what is already in the flesh. Paul explains that he was not consciously aware of the depth of concupiscence and the intents of the heart until he put himself under a law. When the commandment came, sin âtook
Scripture presents one overall Gospel of God centered in Jesus Christ, yet within that one gospel the Bible speaks of different gospel titles, stewardships, audiences, emphases, and administrations throughout Godâs progressive revelation. Because of this, those who emphasize âone
YOU ARE NOT A PRIEST â YOU ARE AN AMBASSADOR
(Rightly Dividing the Truth)
âEvery believer is a priest.â
Youâve heard it.
Youâve probably said it.
But have you ever actually stopped and tested it by the Bibleârightly divided?
Because if weâre honest, most people donât study this issue⌠they assume it. And that assumption is where the confusion begins.
Letâs not defend tradition.
Letâs open the Book.
Let's ask what saith the Scripture.
THE VERSES EVERYONE RUNS TO
If someone wants to prove that Christians today are âpriests,â they usually go straight here:
1 Peter 2:5,9,10:
âAn holy priesthood⌠a royal priesthood⌠an holy nation⌠a peculiar peopleâŚ.â
Revelation 1:6:
âHath made us kings and priestsâŚ.â
Revelation 5:10:
âMade us⌠kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.â
Now be honestâthose verses do say âpriests.â So is the case closed?
Not even close.
Because thereâs one question almost nobody asks: WHO is being spoken to?
THE REAL PROBLEM
Hereâs the mistake:
People assume everything from Matthew to Revelation is written directly to them. Thatâs not Bible studyâthatâs Bible confusion.
The Scriptures must be handled the way God said to handle them.
2 Timothy 2:15 says:
âStudy⌠rightly dividing the word of truth.â
Thatâs not a suggestion. Thatâs the method.
If you donât rightly divide, you will mix things God never told you to mixâand you will claim things God never gave you.
All Scripture is for us.
But not all Scripture is to us.
And until that clicks, nothing else will.
TWO QUESTIONS THAT SOLVE THE CONFUSION
Before you claim any verse, ask:
1. Who wrote it?
2. Who is it written to?
Simple. But devastating when applied honestly.
Peter wrote 1 Peter (1:1).
John wrote Revelation (1:1).
According to Galatians 2:9, Peter and John were apostles to Israel, not to the Body of Christ. Not to the Gentiles.
So alreadyâweâre dealing with a different audience.
But it gets even clearer.
READ THE CONTEXT â NOT JUST THE WORD âPRIESTâ
1 Peter 2:9 doesnât just say âpriesthood.â
It says: âAn holy nation.â
Stop right there. Are you a nation?
Is the Church today a nation? No.
A nation has land, borders, identity as a people group. Thatâs not the Body of Christ.
So why are you claiming a verse that describes something you are not?
Revelation goes further:
âKings and priests⌠and we shall reign on the earth.â Are you reigning right now? Are you sitting on a throne? No.
So againâthe description doesnât match you. So who does it match?
GO BACK â THE ANSWER IS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
Exodus 19:5â6:
âYe shall be⌠a peculiar treasure⌠a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.â
Thatâs not the Church. That is Israel.
Peter didnât invent something newâhe repeated what God already promised Israel.
Same language. Same identity. Same people. So when Peter says âroyal priesthood,â he is speaking to Israel.
Not redefining the Church.
BUT WAITâWHY ISNâT ISRAEL A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS TODAY?
Because their program was interrupted. Israel rejected their Messiah. They crucified Christ.
They resisted the Holy Ghost (Acts 7).
And according to Romans 11:
They are fallen. They are cast away.
They are blinded.
Their kingdom did not come.
So that âkingdom of priestsâ promise? It didnât disappear. It was postponed.
ITâS FUTURE â NOT PRESENT
Romans 11:26:
âAnd so all Israel shall be savedâŚ.â
Thatâs future.
Isaiah 61:6:
âYe shall be named the Priests of the LORDâŚ.â Thatâs future.
Revelation 20:6:
âThey shall be priests of God⌠and shall reign⌠a thousand years.â Thatâs future.
Everything lines up perfectly when you stop forcing it into the present.
Israel will be a kingdom of priests.
But not today.
Continued to 2
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 KJV
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
Romans 8:15 KJV
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
YOU ARE NOT ISRAEL WAITING FOR A KINGDOM ON EARTHâYOU ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST SEATED IN HEAVENLY PLACES
Many believers today are living like theyâre still waitingâŚ
Waiting for promises God never gave them.
Waiting for a kingdom that isnât their hope.
Waitingâwhen God says you are already seated.
That confusion doesnât come from a lack of sincerity.
It comes from not rightly dividing the Word of truth.
âAnd hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.â
âEphesians 2:6 (KJV)
Read that again.
Not waiting.
Not striving to enter.
Seated.
âŞď¸GOD HAS TWO DISTINCT PROGRAMS
When you open your Bible, you must recognize something foundational:
⢠Godâs prophetic program with Israel
⢠Godâs mystery program for the Body of Christ
Fail to see thatâand everything blends into confusion.
âŞď¸ISRAELâS HOPE WAS EARTHLY
From Genesis through the Gospels and early Acts, God was dealing with Israel.
Their hope?
⢠A literal kingdom
⢠On a literal earth
⢠With Christ reigning on Davidâs throne
âThy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earthâŚâ
âMatthew 6:10 (KJV)
That is not symbolic.
That is Israelâs expectation.
âŞď¸THE BODY OF CHRIST HAS A HEAVENLY CALLING
But thenâGod revealed something hidden.
Not spoken by the prophets.
Not known since the world began.
âWhich in other ages was not made known⌠as it is now revealedâŚâ
âEphesians 3:5 (KJV)
Through Paul:
âI am the apostle of the GentilesâŚâ
âRomans 11:13 (KJV)
And what does he reveal?
⢠Not an earthly kingdom
⢠Not Israelâs covenants
⢠But a heavenly position in Christ
âBlessed⌠with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.â
âEphesians 1:3 (KJV)
âŞď¸HEREâS WHERE CONFUSION HAPPENS
People mix the two.
They take Israelâs promisesâŚ
Apply them to the ChurchâŚ
And end up living in doctrinal contradiction.
They wait for what God already gave.
They strive for what Christ already finished.
âŞď¸THE GOSPEL THAT PUT YOU THERE
You are not seated in heavenly places because of your performance.
You are there because of the gospel of grace:
âHow that Christ died for our sins⌠was buried, and⌠rose again the third day.â
â1 Corinthians 15:3â4 (KJV)
The moment you believe thatâ
⢠You are placed in Christ
⢠You are identified with His death, burial, and resurrection
⢠You are seated with Him
Not progressively.
Not someday.
Right now.
âŞď¸WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU TODAY
This changes everything.
⢠You are not trying to earn favorâyou already have it
⢠You are not waiting for identityâyou already possess it
⢠You are not earthly-boundâyou are heaven-positioned
âFor ye are not under the law, but under grace.â
âRomans 6:14 (KJV)
Stop living like you belong to a program God is not running today.
Start living in the grace He is dispensing.
âŞď¸YOUR TRUE PURPOSE
You are part of the Body of Christâ
A heavenly people
With a heavenly calling
For a heavenly purpose
Not replacing Israel.
Not becoming Israel.
But something distinct, new, and eternally purposed in Christ.
âŞď¸FINAL THOUGHT
You are not Israel waiting for a kingdom.
You are the Body of Christâ
already seated in heavenly places.
Believe it.
Stand in it.
Walk worthy of it.
Because when you see where God has placed youâ
Youâll stop living below your position
âŚand start living from it.
âď¸ AnWaraynaEbanghelista
Preaching Christ according to the revelation of the Mystery
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