John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 14:32

"and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets;" — 1 Corinthians 14:32 (ASV)

And the spirits of the Prophets. This, too, is one of the reasons why it is necessary for them to take turns—because it will sometimes happen that, in the doctrine of one Prophet, the others may find something to reprove. “It is not reasonable,” he says, “that anyone should be beyond the sphere of scrutiny. In this way it will sometimes come to a person’s turn to speak, who was among the audience and was sitting silent.”

This passage has been misunderstood by some, as if Paul had said that the Lord’s Prophets were not like persons taken with a sudden frenzy, who, when a divine impulse (ἐνθουσιασμὸς) had once seized them, were no longer masters of themselves. It is indeed true that God’s Prophets are not disordered in mind; but this has nothing to do with this passage of Paul’s writings.

For it means, as I have already stated, that no one is exempt from the scrutiny of others, but that all must be listened to, with this understanding, that their doctrine is, nevertheless, to be subjected to examination.

This is not, however, without difficulty, for the Apostle declares that their spirits are subject. Though it is of gifts that he speaks, how can prophecy, which is given by the Holy Spirit, be judged by men, so that the Spirit himself is not judged by them? In this manner, even the word of God, which is revealed by the Spirit, will be subjected to examination. The unseemliness of this does not need to be pointed out, for it is abundantly evident.

I maintain, however, that neither the Spirit of God nor His word is restrained by a scrutiny of this kind. The Holy Spirit, I say, retains His majesty unimpaired, so as to judge all things, while he is judged by no one (1 Corinthians 2:15).

The sacred word of God, too, retains the respect due to it, so that it is received without any disputation as soon as it is presented.

“What is it, then,” you will say, “that is subjected to examination?” I answer—If anyone were furnished with a full revelation, that person would undoubtedly, along with his gift, be above all scrutiny. There is, I say, no subjection where there is a plenitude of revelation.

But since God has distributed His Spirit to everyone in a certain measure, so that even amidst the greatest abundance there is always something lacking, it is no wonder if no one is elevated to such a height as to look down from on high upon all others and have no one to pass judgment upon him.

We may now see how, without any dishonor to the Holy Spirit, His gifts admit of being examined. Furthermore, where, after full examination, nothing is found that is worthy of reproof, there will still be something that stands in need of polishing.

The sum of all, therefore, is this—that the gift is subjected to examination in such a way that whatever is set forth, the Prophets consider whether it has proceeded from the Spirit of God; for if it appears that the Spirit is its author, there is no room left for hesitation.

However, it is further asked—“What rule is to be used in examining?” This question is answered in part by Paul, who, in Romans 12:6, requires that prophecy be regulated according to the proportion of faith.

As to the passing of judgment, however, there is no doubt that it ought to be regulated by the word and Spirit of God—that nothing may be approved but what is discovered to be from God, that nothing may be found fault with but in accordance with His word, and ultimately, that God alone may preside in this judgment, and men may be merely His heralds.

From this passage of Paul’s writings, we may conjecture how very illustrious that Church was, with respect to an extraordinary abundance and variety of spiritual gifts. There were colleges of Prophets, so that care had to be taken that they might have their respective turns. There was so great a diversity of gifts that there was a superabundance.

We now see our leanness, indeed, our poverty; but in this we have a just punishment, sent to requite our ingratitude.

For neither are the riches of God exhausted, nor is His benignity lessened; but we are neither deserving of His bounty, nor capable of receiving His liberality.

Still, we have ample light and doctrine, provided there is no deficiency in the cultivation of piety and the fruits that spring from it.