1 Tessalonicenses 5:21-23 NVT

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 5:21

Verse 21 21Prove all things. As rash men and deceiving spirits frequently pass off their trifles under the name of prophecy, prophecy might by this means be rendered suspicious or even odious, just as many in the present day feel almost disgusted with the very name of preaching, as there are so many foolish and ignorant persons that from the pulpit blab out their worthless contrivances, (616) while there are others, also, that are wicked and sacrilegious persons, who babble forth execrable... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Verse 22 22From every evil appearance. Some think that this is a universal statement, as though he commanded to abstain from all things that bear upon their front an appearance of evil. In that case the meaning would be, that it is not enough to have an internal testimony of conscience, unless regard be at the same time had to brethren, so as to provide against occasions of offense, by avoiding every thing that can have the appearance of evil. Those who explain the word speciem after the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Verse 23 23Now the God of peace himself. Having given various injunctions, he now proceeds to prayer. And unquestionably doctrine is disseminated in vain, (620) unless God implant it in our minds. From this we see how preposterously those act who measure the strength of men by the precepts of God. Paul, accordingly, knowing that all doctrine is useless until God engraves it, as it were, with his own finger upon our hearts, beseeches God that he would sanctify the Thessalonians. Why he calls him... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28

Now follows a series of short admonitions. The Thessalonians were to love and honor their ministers, to live in peace among themselves, to admonish the disorderly, to encourage the faint-hearted, to support the weak, and to exercise forbearance toward all men. They were to be on their guard against revenge, to preserve Christian joyfulness, to be constant in prayer, and to maintain a thankful disposition. They were not to quench the Spirit, nor despise prophesyings, but were to test all... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 5:21

Prove all things. This exhortation is closely connected with the preceding. "Prove all things," namely, whatever was advanced by the prophets in their inspired discourses. "Prove" here means to test, as metals are tested in the fire; and hence the word frequently denotes the favorable result of the testing, or approval. There was a special gift of discerning spirits in the primitive Church ( 1 Corinthians 12:10 ; 1 Corinthians 14:29 ). But although the words primarily refer to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Abstain from all appearance of evil . This verse is connected with the last, and states negatively what is there stated positively. Test the declarations of the prophets; retain the good, and reject the evil. The word translated "appearance" has been differently rendered; it denotes form, figure, species, kind; so that the clause is to be rendered, "Abstain from all form of evil" (R.V.), or, "of the evil," the word being an abstract substantive. The whole exhortation is similar to that given... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 5:23

And the very God of peace ; the God who communicates peace; an expression frequently employed by Paul at the close of his Epistles ( Romans 15:33 ; Romans 16:20 ; Philippians 4:9 ; 2 Corinthians 13:11 ; 2 Thessalonians 3:16 ). Sanctify you wholly ; that is, perfectly, without anything wanting, referring to the entireness of the sanctification, which is presently expressed in detail. And I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body ; the adjective "whole" applies to all the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Thessalonians 5:21

Prove all things - Subject everything submitted to you to be believed to the proper test. The word here used (δοκιμάζετε dokimazete), is one that is properly applicable to metals, referring to the art of the assayer, by which the true nature and value of the metal is tested; see notes, 1 Corinthians 3:13. This trial was usually made by fire. The meaning here is, that they were carefully to examine everything proposed for their belief. They were not to receive it on trust; to take it on... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Abstain from all appearance of evil - Not only from evil itself, but from that which seems to be wrong. There are many things which are known to be wrong. They are positively forbidden by the laws of heaven, and the world concurs in the sentiment that they are wicked. But there are also many things about which there may be some reasonable doubt. It is not quite easy to determine in the case what is right or wrong. The subject has not been fully examined, or the question of its morality may be... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Thessalonians 5:23

And the very God of peace - The God who gives peace or happiness; compare notes, Romans 1:7.Sanctify you - See the notes at John 17:17.Wholly - ὁλοτελεῖς holoteleis. In every part; completely. It is always proper to pray that God would make his people entirely holy. A prayer for perfect sanctification, however, should not be adduced as a proof that it is in fact attained in the present life.Your whole spirit and soul and body - There is an allusion here, doubtless, to the popular opinion in... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 5:21

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 5:22

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 5:23

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 5:21

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 5:22

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Thessalonians 5:21

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Thessalonians 5:23

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