1 Corinthians 14:32 kjv
And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
1 Corinthians 14:32 nkjv
And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
1 Corinthians 14:32 niv
The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.
1 Corinthians 14:32 esv
and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
1 Corinthians 14:32 nlt
Remember that people who prophesy are in control of their spirit and can take turns.
1 Corinthians 14 32 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 14:33 | For God is not a God of confusion but of peace... | God's character promotes order, not disorder |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | But all things should be done decently and in order. | General principle of order in worship |
| 1 Cor 9:27 | But I discipline my body and keep it under control... | Paul's example of self-discipline |
| 2 Tim 1:7 | For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. | Spirit empowers self-control, not chaos |
| Gal 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience... self-control. | Self-control is a product of the Holy Spirit |
| 1 Thess 5:19-22 | Do not quench the Spirit... but test everything; hold fast what is good. | Prophecy is to be tested and judged, implying control |
| 1 Jn 4:1 | Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see... | Discernment of spirits; not all impulses are divine |
| Rom 12:6 | Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them. | Gifts are given with an expectation of use |
| Phil 2:3-4 | Do nothing from selfish ambition... but in humility count others more significant. | Humility and consideration foster order |
| 1 Cor 14:26 | Let all things be done for building up. | Purpose of gifts is edification, requiring order |
| Prov 16:32 | Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty... and he who rules his spirit... | Wisdom in self-control and spirit |
| Prov 25:28 | A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. | Danger of lacking self-control |
| Titus 2:11-12 | ...training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled... | Grace teaches self-control in all aspects |
| Matt 12:36 | I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word... | Responsibility for speech, even spiritual speech |
| James 3:8 | But no human being can tame the tongue... | Difficulty, but necessity, of controlling speech |
| Num 11:24-25 | ...and when the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. | Prophecy as a controlled act, not chaos |
| Ezek 3:26 | ...and I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth, so that you shall not be... | God's ability to control a prophet's speech |
| Jer 23:21-22 | I did not send these prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them... | True prophecy comes from God, not uncontrolled impulses |
| Luke 14:28-30 | For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost... | Foresight and deliberate action |
| Deut 13:1-5 | If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder... | Testing of prophets |
| Zech 13:2-4 | On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will cut off the names of the idols... | True prophets separate from false ecstatic ones |
1 Corinthians 14 verses
1 Corinthians 14 32 Meaning
This verse declares that the prophetic messages or divine inspirations, as well as the inherent spiritual capacity within prophets, are not wild, uncontrollable forces, but rather are subject to the will and self-control of the prophets themselves. It emphasizes order and the prophet's personal responsibility in the exercise of their spiritual gift within the assembly. This counters any idea that genuine spiritual manifestation leads to a loss of faculties or irrational behavior.
1 Corinthians 14 32 Context
First Corinthians chapter 14 extensively addresses the appropriate exercise of spiritual gifts, specifically focusing on prophecy and tongues, within the corporate gathering of the church. The Corinthian believers were enthusiastic in their use of these gifts but lacked proper understanding and order, leading to confusion and potential disrepute among outsiders (1 Cor 14:23). Paul's overarching goal in this chapter is to regulate their use, prioritizing edification (1 Cor 14:26), intelligibility (1 Cor 14:9, 19), and orderliness (1 Cor 14:33, 40). Verse 32, immediately preceding the affirmation that "God is not a God of confusion but of peace," serves to counter any misconception that genuine prophetic inspiration overrides the prophet's personal volition. It underpins the principle of order by affirming that the spiritual act is fully controllable by the human instrument, contrasting with pagan oracles who often fell into ecstatic, uncontrolled states during their prophecies.
1 Corinthians 14 32 Word analysis
- And (δέ - de): This conjunction serves to connect this statement to the preceding instructions regarding the proper order and timing of prophetic utterances (e.g., v. 29, 31). It often indicates a logical progression or explanation.
- the spirits (πνεύματα - pneumata): Plural of pneuma. In this context, it refers to the spiritual revelations, messages, or inspirations that a prophet receives from God. It is the divine activity or impetus working through the prophet. It does not refer to literal external spirits, but to the inner spiritual enablement or communication.
- of the prophets (προφητῶν - prophētōn): The genitive plural indicates possession or origin. These "spirits" or inspirations belong to, originate through, or are active within the prophets. It refers to those who speak for God.
- are subject (ὑποτάσσεται - hypotassetai): This verb is in the present passive/middle indicative form of hypotassō.
- In the passive sense, it means "are made subject," implying that the inspirations, though divine, are put under the control of the human prophet.
- In the middle sense (which often implies the subject performing the action upon itself), it means "submit themselves" or "can be subjected." This highlights the prophet's own volition and responsibility in managing the prophetic flow.
- to the prophets (προφήταις - prophētais): This is the dative plural, indicating to whom or for whom the subjection occurs. It reinforces the idea that the prophet retains control over their own prophetic utterance. It signifies that prophets retain their rationality and ability to start, stop, or hold their prophecies until an opportune moment, such as waiting for a turn or for another prophet to finish.
- the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets: This full phrase is a crucial statement against disorder and an affirmation of divine order. It teaches that God-given spiritual inspiration does not manifest in a way that leads to loss of control, irrationality, or an inability to regulate one's speech and actions. Instead, the prophet remains in full conscious command, able to initiate, pause, or withhold a prophetic utterance according to the principles of order and edification. This means a prophet cannot claim an uncontrollable urge from the Spirit as an excuse for disruption or speaking out of turn; they are responsible for their delivery and timing.
1 Corinthians 14 32 Bonus section
- This verse directly supports the interpretation that spiritual gifts, though supernaturally sourced, are not mechanistically forced upon individuals, nor do they bypass conscious thought or volitional choice. True spiritual empowerment enhances, rather than diminishes, a believer's capacity for self-control and thoughtful expression.
- The principle established here implies that prophecy is not mere "dictation" but a Spirit-inspired utterance through a person who remains an active, rational agent. This facilitates the crucial aspect of "judging" prophecies (1 Cor 14:29), as orderly delivery allows for discernment by other prophets and the assembly.
- It counters potential excuses for disorderly conduct ("The Spirit made me do it") by placing full accountability on the prophet to exercise their gift responsibly and in harmony with others.
- This theological truth underscores a broader biblical principle: God does not typically violate human agency or rationality, even when working supernaturally through individuals. He empowers and enables, expecting partnership rather than mere automaton-like response.
1 Corinthians 14 32 Commentary
This concise statement serves as a foundational principle for the orderly exercise of prophecy within the church. It unequivocally refutes the notion that true divine inspiration results in an uncontrollable state for the recipient. Instead, Paul asserts that the prophetic pneuma (spiritual inspiration or message) operating through a prophet is always subordinate to the prophet's own will. This means the prophet retains full conscious control over when, how, and if they will speak. This stands in stark contrast to the ecstatic and often incoherent frenzies associated with pagan oracle practices of the time, emphasizing the sanity and dignity inherent in Christian prophecy. The verse undergirds the importance of human responsibility in stewardship of spiritual gifts and reinforces that God is a God of peace and order, not confusion. It is the bedrock upon which Paul builds his subsequent directives for decency and order in assembly.