This may be expanded to “this command.”

Both the text and the meaning of this verse are uncertain. The last word in the Greek, translated he is not recognized, may be either “he is not known” (the UBS Greek text), “let him not be known,” or even as in one manuscript “you do not know.” The meaning of the verb may be either “not know” or “not pay attention,” that is, “ignore.” In both cases the implied agent of the verb may be either the Corinthian Christians or God himself. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “God will not recognize him either.” New English Bible translates in a similar way (but not Revised English Bible). Most translations, however, interpret this passage to mean that Paul is referring simply to recognition by the congregation.

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .