1 Corinthians 14:32

1 Corinthians 14:32 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
• New International Version (NIV)The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.
• English Standard Version (ESV)and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

Context of 1 Corinthians 14:32

30But if an inspired revelation is made to another who is seated, then the first one must be silent. 31For [in this way] you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may be instructed and everyone may be encouraged; for the spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets [the prophecy is under the speaker’s control, and he can stop speaking]; 33for God [who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order. As [is the practice] in all the churches of the saints (God’s people), 34the women should be silent in the churches, for they are not authorized to speak, but are to take a subordinate place, as the Law says.

1 Corinthians 14:32 word by word

καὶ πνεύματα προφητῶν προφήταις ὑποτάσσεται·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• the spiritsπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
• of the prophetsπροφήτηςprophētēs · prophetG4396
• are subjectὑποτάσσωhupotassō · to subjectG5293

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 14:32

• 1 Corinthians 14:29Let two or three prophets speak [as inspired by the Holy Spirit], while the rest pay attention and weigh carefully what is said.
• 1 Samuel 10:10When they came to the hill [Gibeah], behold, a group of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came on him mightily, and he prophesied [under divine guidance] among them.
• 1 Samuel 19:19Saul was told, “David is at Naioth in Ramah.”
• 2 Kings 2:3Now the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take your master away from you today?” He said, “Yes, I know it; be quiet [about it].”
• Job 32:8But there is [a vital force and] a spirit [of intelligence] in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.
• Jeremiah 20:9If I say, “I will not remember Him Or speak His name anymore,” Then my heart becomes a burning fire Shut up in my bones. And I am weary of enduring and holding it in; I cannot endure it [nor contain it any longer].
• Acts 4:19But Peter and John replied to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you and obey you rather than God, you must judge [for yourselves];
• 1 John 4:1Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 14:32

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 32And 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.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 32And the spirits of the prophets - See in 1 Corinthians 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…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 26-33Verses 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 all at once. The man who…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 29-32Public prophecy should be shared in an orderly manner, guided by the Spirit, so everyone benefits. Others should evaluate what is said to determine if it is truly a message from God (1 Thessalonians 5:19–21). Those with a prophecy should take turns. Although prophecy is a divinely given message, the speaker still controls it.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3232. 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.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 14:32

• Prophets

In the dictionaries

• Confusion
• Desire
• Edification
• Except
• Pipe
• Profit
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Holy Spirit
• Ministry
• Prophecy; Prophets

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings