Commentators differ as to how the word spirit
in this verse should be understood. Is the word used in the sense of spiritual gift,
as in 1 Corinthians 14:12? Or does it refer to a person’s breath
(a possible translation of the word pneuma)? Another possibility is that the word refers to the Holy Spirit dwelling in the person.
Whichever interpretation is followed, there should be no sharp distinction drawn between the human spirit
and the human mind.
Such a distinction is foreign to Scripture (see, e.g., Romans 12:1–2; Ephesians 4:23). Added to that, the verses that follow show that the situation that is being described here is less than ideal. At least when it comes to public worship, the mind should always be active in the worship of God.
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful.