Revised Standard Version‘s translation is too literal; however, Good News Bible brings out the meaning. Spirits of prophets probably means “the spiritual gift of prophecy” (see verse 12 and 12.10). Good News Bible expresses the meaning by the singular “the speaker,” meaning “any such speaker.” Verses 14-15 help us to understand the present verse; in other words, Paul is saying that the prophet’s reason and self-control should govern the way in which he uses his special gift; New Jerusalem Bible “The prophetic spirit is to be under the prophet’s control”; Revised English Bible “It is for prophets to control prophetic inspiration.” It is not clear whether Paul is saying that each prophet should control himself or herself, or that the prophets as a group should control one another; more probably the latter.

It is possible to restructure this verse as follows: “The speaker who proclaims God’s message must control his gift (or, ability).”

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .