1 Corinthians 14 · Verse 32

1 Corinthians 14:32

And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
1 Corinthians 14:32, King James Version

1 Corinthians 14:32 in other translations

BSBThe spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
WEBThe spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,
ASVand the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets;
YLTand the spiritual gift of prophets to prophets are subject,
DARBYAnd spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
BBEAnd the spirits of the prophets are controlled by the prophets;
WebsterAnd the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

What does 1 Corinthians 14:32 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
32. And--following up the assertion in 1Co 14:31, "Ye can (if ye will) prophesy one by one," that is, restrain yourselves from speaking all together; "and the spirits of the prophets," that is, their own spirits, acted on by the Holy Spirit, are not so hurried away by His influence, as to cease to be under their own control; they can if they will hear others, and not demand that they alone should be heard uttering communications from God.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 32. And the spirits of the prophets. 1Cor 14:1 for the meaning of the word prophets. The evident meaning of this is, that they were able to control their inclination to speak; they were not under a necessity of speaking, even though they might be inspired. There was no need of disorder. This verse gives confirmation to the supposition, that the extraordinary endowments of the Holy Spirit were subjected to substantially the same laws as a man's natural endowments. They were conferred by the Holy Ghost; but they were conferred on free agents, and did not interfere with their free agency. And as a man, though of the most splendid talents and commanding eloquence, has control over his own mind, and is not compelled to speak, so it was with those who are here called prophets. The immediate reference of the passage is to those who are called prophets in the New Testament; and the interpretation should be confined to them. It is not improbable, however, that the same thing was true of the prophets of the Old Testament; and that it is really true as a general declaration of all the prophets whom God has inspired, that they had control over their own minds, and could speak or be silent at pleasure. In this the spirit of true inspiration differed essentially from the views of the heathen, who regarded themselves as driven on by a wild, controlling influence, that compelled them to speak even when they were unconscious of what they said. Universally, in the heathen world, the priests and priestesses supposed or reigned that they were under an influence which was incontrollable; which took away their powers of self-command, and which made them the mere organs or unconscious instruments of communicating the will of the gods. The Scripture account of inspiration is, however, a very different thing. In whatever way the mind was influenced, or whatever was the mode in which the truth was conveyed, yet it was not such as to destroy the conscious powers of free agency, nor such as to destroy the individuality of the inspired person, or to annihilate what was peculiar in his mode of thinking, his style, or his customary manner of expression.

(a) "spirits of" 1Jn 4:1

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 32 And the spirits of the prophets, etc. - Let no one interrupt another; and let all be ready to prefer others before themselves; and let each feel a spirit of subjection to his brethren. God grants no ungovernable gifts.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:26-33

Religious exercises in public assemblies should have this view; Let all be done to edifying. As to the speaking in an unknown tongue, if another were present who could interpret, two miraculous gifts might be exercised at once, and thereby the church be edified, and the faith of the hearers confirmed at the same time. As to prophesying, two or three only should speak at one meeting, and this one after the other, not…

Read the full comment on 1 Corinthians 14:26-33 →

1 Corinthians 14:32 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiAndG2532
πνεύματαpneumataspiritsG4151
προφητῶνprophētōnof prophetsG4396
προφήταιςprophētaisto prophetsG4396
ὑποτάσσεται·hupotassetaiare subject;G5293

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 14:32

  • 1 John 4:1

    Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

  • Acts 4:19-20

    But 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. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:29-30

    Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

  • 2 Kings 2:5

    And 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.

  • 1 Samuel 10:10-13

    And 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. And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets? And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets? And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place.

  • 2 Kings 2:3

    And the sons of the prophets that were at Beth–el 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.

  • 1 Samuel 19:19-24

    And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah. And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also. Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah. …

  • Jeremiah 20:9

    Then 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.

  • Job 32:8-11

    But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion. Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
29,30; 1Sa 10:10-13; 19:19-24; 2Ki 2:3,5; Job 32:8-11; Jer 20:9
Ac 4:19,20; 1Jo 4:1

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Corinthians 14:31

    For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:32

    And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:33

    For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 14

1 Corinthians 14:32 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y los espíritus de los que profetizaren, sujétense á los profetas;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et les esprits des prophètes sont assujettis aux prophètes.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und die Geister der Propheten sind den Propheten untertan.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		et spiritus prophetarum prophetis subjecti sunt.