And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
Parallel translations
- WEB The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,
- BSB The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
- NKJV And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
- NASB and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;
- NLT Remember that people who prophesy are in control of their spirit and can take turns.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. Those who prophesy retain self-control over their speech.
Overview
Paul establishes that genuine prophetic gifting does not overwhelm the speaker; he can govern when and how he speaks. This refutes any excuse that the Spirit compels uncontrolled outbursts. Because prophets control themselves, the orderly arrangements Paul commands are entirely possible and obligatory.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- 1 Jn 4:1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
- Acts 4:19–20But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
- 1 Cor 14:29–30Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
- Job 32:8–11But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
- 2 Kgs 2:3And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
- 2 Kgs 2:5And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
- Jer 20:9Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
- 1 Sam 19:19–24And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.
- 1 Sam 10:10–13And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 14:32 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.