What does 1 Corinthians 14:37 mean?

Paul is coming to the end of his teaching about spiritual gifts and changes that need to happen with the worship services of the Corinthian church. He expects some who read or hear his letter to disagree with his instructions. He reminds those listening that he is writing on behalf of the Lord. His instructions to them amount to commands from God.

How can Paul assert such a thing? He began this letter with these words, "Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus" (1 Corinthians 1:1). Paul's role as an apostle meant that he was sent by Christ to represent Christ's message to the world. This includes Christ's commands about how to—and how not to—conduct church services.

Paul states that anyone in the church at Corinth who thinks of himself as a prophet or even just a spiritual person in Christ should understand and agree with this. That would be true on at least two levels. For one thing, all the beliefs about Christ held by the Corinthians have been given to them by Paul or other teachers who agree with Paul. To disagree with the idea that Paul's teaching is from God now would lead to disregarding everything else he has taught them. In another sense, those in the church who receive revelation from God or who are spiritual people (1 Corinthians 2:14), should sense from God, from God's Spirit, that what Paul is telling them is right and true.