1 Corinthians 14:38

Be ignorant. Gr. agnoeo, “not to acknowledge,” “not to recognize.” In effect, Paul is saying that if anyone should not recognize the fact that the apostle was inspired by God, and therefore did not receive his instructions as being God’s commands, he does so at his peril. Paul had given sufficient evidence of his God-given commission and did not need to say anything further in that connection. One who rejected the counsel that came through the apostle would be left to take the consequences. There was nothing more that could be done for him; he must answer to God for his rebelliousness.

Willful ignorance of the commands of God will not excuse anyone, but will result in ultimate ruin. The Holy Spirit will not continue endlessly to plead with one who stubbornly clings to his own erroneous ideas and ways of living, even after he has been shown the right way (see Gen. 6:3; Hosea 4:17). Such stubborn, willful ignorance of God’s plans for the world is to be a characteristic attitude of a certain class of persons in the last days, and will serve as a sign of the nearness of the end (see 2 Peter 3:3-5). It is dangerous to reject light from God in order to continue to gratify the desires of the natural heart, which is always at enmity against God (see Rom. 8:6-8; Gal. 5:16, 17; 1 John 2:15, 16).

Let him be ignorant. Textual evidence is divided (cf. p. 10) between this and the reading “he is not acknowledged [or “recognized”].” If the latter reading is adopted, the meaning is probably that such persons are not recognized by God. Such an experience is the opposite of that described in ch. 8:3: “If any man love God, the same is known of him.”