1 Thessalonians 5:20-21

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Thessalonians 5:20

Despise not prophesyings - On the subject of prophesyings in the early Christian church, see the notes on 1 Corinthians 14:1 ff1 ff. The reference here seems to be to preaching. They were not to undervalue it in comparison with other things. It is possible that in Thessalonica, as appears to have been the case subsequently in Corinth (compare 1 Corinthians 14:19), there were those who regarded the power of working miracles, or of speaking in unknown tongues, as a much more eminent endowment... 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22

1 Thessalonians 5:20-22. Despise not prophesyings That is, the preaching of God’s word; for the apostle is not here speaking of extraordinary gifts, but of such as are ordinary. It seems one means of grace is put for all; and whoever despises or makes light of any of these, much more that sets them at naught, as the original expression, εξουθενειτε , properly signifies, under whatever pretence, will surely, though perhaps gradually and insensibly, quench the Spirit. Some neglect... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

5:12-28 ADVICE ON OTHER MATTERSMinor difficulties had arisen in the Thessalonian church, and the church leaders had the responsibility to see that these matters were put right. Paul therefore reminds the church members to respect those who have the duty of guiding the church, and not to be offended when the church leaders find it necessary to give corrective instruction (12-13). The leaders, on their part, must always act with patience and understanding (14).All Christians should live in a... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Thessalonians 5:20

Despise . Greek. exoutheneo. See Acts 4:11 . prophesyings . Compare 1 Corinthians 12:10 , 1Co 13:2 , 1 Corinthians 13:8 ; 1 Corinthians 14:6 , 1 Corinthians 14:22 . The reference to these gifts explains 1 Thessalonians 5:19 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Thessalonians 5:21

Prove . Greek. dokimazo. See Romans 12:2 .Ephesians 6:10 . 1 John 4:1 . holdfast . Greek. katecho. See Matthew 21:38 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 5:20

despise not prophesyings; prove all things; hold fast that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.Despise not prophesyings ... There is no need to understand this as a reference to charismatic gifts of the primitive era before the New Testament was written. It is well known that Paul often used the word in the sense of teaching the holy scriptures. Calvin and many other noted expositors construed it in this way. Calvin said, "By the term `prophesying' I do not understand the gift of... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Thessalonians 5:20

1 Thessalonians 5:20. Despise not prophesyings.— By prophesying, here, we are not to understand barely a foretelling of future events, but a preaching by immediate inspiration; that is, speaking what tended to instruct or establish, convert or confirm, reprove or comfort mankind, in matters relating either to faith or practice. See 1 Corinthians 14:3-4. If we had only this one of all St. Paul's epistles, we should not perhaps have been able to understand the reason and design of this short... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Thessalonians 5:21-23

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22. Prove all things, &c.— Though they were not to despise prophesyings, yet they were not to receive every thing which might be so called; but to prove and examine all things that went under that name. Nor were they to stop here; but when they had separated them, or could distinguish between them, they were to reject the evil and hold fast the good. These two verses and the preceding verse ought to have been joined together, and then the connection would have been more... read more

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