And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
Parallel translations
- WEB The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,
- KJV And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
- BSB The spirits of prophets are subject to 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, don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
- Acts 4:19–20But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves,
- 1 Cor 14:29–30Let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the others discern.
- Job 32:8–11But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.
- 2 Kgs 2:3The sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that Yahweh will take away your master from your head today?” He said, “Yes, I know it. Hold your peace.”
- 2 Kgs 2:5The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came near to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that Yahweh will take away your master from your head today?” He answered, “Yes, I know it. Hold your peace.”
- Jer 20:9If I say, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name, then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I can’t.
- 1 Sam 19:19–24Saul was told, saying, “Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.”
- 1 Sam 10:10–13When they came there to the hill, behold, a band of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came mightily on 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.