1 Thessalonians 5:20

KJV

Despise not prophesyings.

KJV (with Strong's)

Despise {G1848} not {G3361} prophesyings {G4394}.

Complete Jewish Bible

don’t despise inspired messages.

Berean Standard Bible

Do not treat prophecies with contempt,

American Standard Version

despise not prophesyings;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Apostle Paul's terse yet profound instruction in 1 Thessalonians 5:20 serves as a critical directive for the early church in Thessalonica, urging believers not to treat with contempt or dismiss prophetic utterances. This command is part of a series of concise, practical exhortations aimed at fostering healthy corporate worship and sanctified living, emphasizing the importance of valuing divine communication while simultaneously preparing the community for the necessary practice of discernment regarding spiritual gifts.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the closing admonitions of Paul's first epistle to the Thessalonians, a section (beginning around [1 Thessalonians 5:12](/1_thessalonians/5-12 "1 Thessalonians 5:12 - Live in Peace")) characterized by a rapid-fire succession of practical instructions for communal life and individual godliness. It immediately follows the exhortation to "[Quench not the Spirit](/1_thessalonians/5-19 "1 Thessalonians 5:19 - Do Not Quench the Spirit")" and is directly followed by the crucial balancing command to "[Prove all things; hold fast that which is good](/1_thessalonians/5-21 "1 Thessalonians 5:21 - Test Everything")". This sequence highlights Paul's concern for a vibrant, Spirit-filled community that also exercises mature discernment, ensuring that the manifestation of spiritual gifts, particularly prophecy, is neither suppressed nor uncritically accepted. The broader context of chapters [1 Thessalonians 4](/1_thessalonians/4 "1 Thessalonians 4 - Living a Godly Life") and [1 Thessalonians 5](/1_thessalonians/5 "1 Thessalonians 5 - Further Exhortations and Final Greetings") deals with sanctification, the return of Christ, and practical Christian living, making the proper handling of spiritual gifts an integral part of their spiritual maturity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early Christian church, particularly in Gentile cities like Thessalonica, was a new phenomenon, often meeting in house churches and characterized by a dynamic outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual gifts, including prophecy, were common and highly valued for the edification, exhortation, and comfort of believers ([1 Corinthians 14:3](/1_corinthians/14-3 "1 Corinthians 14:3 - Purpose of Prophecy")). However, the very newness and vibrancy of these manifestations also presented challenges. There could be instances of false prophecy, misuse of gifts, or even a natural human tendency to dismiss what seemed disorderly or unconventional. Paul's instruction here suggests that some in the Thessalonian church might have been tempted to disregard prophetic utterances, perhaps due to past abuses, a desire for order, or a lack of understanding regarding the gift's legitimate function. This command, therefore, served as a vital corrective, ensuring that genuine divine communication was not stifled.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within [1 Thessalonians](/1_thessalonians/1 "The First Letter to the Thessalonians") and the broader Pauline corpus. Firstly, it underscores the **Value of Divine Communication**, emphasizing that God continues to speak to His people, and His voice, even through human vessels, should be received with respect. Secondly, it highlights the **Importance of Spiritual Gifts** for the health and edification of the church, connecting directly to the theme of not "[quenching the Spirit](/1_thessalonians/5-19 "1 Thessalonians 5:19 - Do Not Quench the Spirit")" in the preceding verse. Paul consistently teaches that these gifts are given for the common good ([1 Corinthians 12:7](/1_corinthians/12-7 "1 Corinthians 12:7 - Gifts for the Common Good")). Thirdly, it implicitly introduces the theme of **Discernment and Balance**, as the subsequent verse ([1 Thessalonians 5:21](/1_thessalonians/5-21 "1 Thessalonians 5:21 - Test Everything")) immediately calls for the testing and evaluation of all things, including prophetic words. This balance between openness to the Spirit and critical evaluation is a hallmark of Paul's teaching on spiritual gifts.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Despise (Greek, _exouthenéō_):** This word, a variation of _exoudenóo_, carries a strong connotation of treating something with contempt, utterly rejecting it, or counting it as nothing. It is more than mere indifference; it implies active scorn or disdain. Paul is not merely advising against ignoring prophetic words but against actively devaluing or dismissing them as worthless. This suggests a potential attitude of disdain or a cynical rejection of prophetic utterances within the community.
* **not (Greek, _mḗ_):** This is a particle of qualified negation, used in prohibitions or to express a negative condition or purpose. In this imperative context, it forms a direct command to avoid the specified action. Unlike _ou_ (which expresses absolute denial), _mḗ_ often implies that the action is possible or a real temptation, making the prohibition particularly relevant and urgent.
* **prophesyings (Greek, _prophēteía_):** Derived from _prophētēs_ ("prophet"), this term refers to the act or content of prophecy. In the New Testament, _prophēteía_ is not exclusively about predicting the future. While it can include foretelling, its primary function is "forth-telling" God's message for a specific situation, often involving exhortation, edification, comfort, and revelation for the church, as detailed in [1 Corinthians 14:3](/1_corinthians/14-3 "1 Corinthians 14:3 - Purpose of Prophecy"). It signifies an inspired utterance through which God communicates His will and truth to His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Despise not prophesyings":** This concise command is a negative imperative, directly instructing the Thessalonian believers to avoid treating prophetic utterances with contempt or disdain. The choice of "despise" (exouthenéō) is significant, implying a strong warning against a dismissive or scornful attitude towards what is presented as divine communication. Paul is not advocating for blind acceptance, but for a posture of respect and openness to the possibility that God might be speaking. The plural "prophesyings" indicates not just the gift in general, but the specific instances or expressions of prophecy occurring within their gatherings. This command serves as a safeguard against quenching the Spirit by prematurely or cynically rejecting genuine expressions of God's voice among them.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs a direct **Imperative Mood**, which is characteristic of Paul's practical exhortations in the latter part of his letters. This direct command, "Despise not," leaves no room for ambiguity regarding the desired action or attitude. The use of **Negation** ("not") highlights a specific behavior to be avoided, underscoring that the temptation or tendency to despise prophecy was a real concern within the community. The brevity and punchiness of the phrase function as a **Pastoral Exhortation**, a concise and memorable instruction designed for immediate application within the church's corporate life. The term "prophesyings" can also be seen as a form of **Metonymy**, where the specific utterances stand for the broader spiritual gift and the divine communication it represents.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The command not to despise prophesyings is deeply rooted in the biblical understanding of God's ongoing communication with His people and the vital role of spiritual gifts in building up the body of Christ. It affirms the belief that God speaks through His Spirit, and that these utterances, when genuine, are a valuable means of grace, edification, and guidance for the church. To despise them would be to despise the very voice of God and to hinder the Spirit's work. However, this openness is always balanced by the need for discernment, recognizing that not all utterances claiming to be from God are authentic or beneficial. The tension between valuing prophetic ministry and rigorously testing it is a recurring theme in the New Testament, ensuring both spiritual vitality and doctrinal purity.

* [1 Corinthians 14:29](/1_corinthians/14-29 "1 Corinthians 14:29 - Prophets Should Weigh What Is Said")
* [Jeremiah 14:14](/jeremiah/14-14 "Jeremiah 14:14 - False Prophets")
* [2 Peter 1:20-21](/2_peter/1-20-21 "2 Peter 1:20-21 - Prophecy Not of Human Origin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In an age often marked by skepticism or, conversely, uncritical acceptance, Paul's instruction to "Despise not prophesyings" remains profoundly relevant. It calls believers to cultivate a posture of humility and openness to how God might choose to speak, whether through the preached Word, a timely insight, or a Spirit-inspired utterance. This means resisting the temptation to dismiss spiritual expressions out of hand, whether due to intellectual pride, past negative experiences, or a preference for purely rational discourse. Valuing prophecy means recognizing that God is still active and desires to communicate with His people for their encouragement, comfort, and edification. However, this openness must never devolve into gullibility. The very next verse in [1 Thessalonians 5:21](/1_thessalonians/5-21 "1 Thessalonians 5:21 - Test Everything") provides the essential counter-balance: "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." Therefore, true application involves a dynamic tension: a readiness to receive coupled with a commitment to rigorous, biblically informed discernment, ensuring that all things done in the church truly build up the body and glorify God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What attitudes or experiences might lead someone to "despise" prophetic utterances today?**
* **How can we cultivate a healthy openness to God's voice without becoming uncritical or naive?**
* **In what ways might "prophesyings" manifest in contemporary church settings, beyond formal prophetic words?**
* **How does the command to "despise not" relate to the subsequent command to "prove all things"? What is the balance?**

### FAQ
**What exactly does "prophesyings" mean in the New Testament context?**

Answer: In the New Testament, "prophesyings" (Greek: _prophēteía_) refers to inspired utterances from God, spoken through a person. While it can include foretelling future events, its primary function, especially in the church gatherings described by Paul, was "forth-telling" God's message for the present. This often involved words of exhortation, edification, comfort, and revelation for the believers, as clearly articulated in [1 Corinthians 14:3](/1_corinthians/14-3 "1 Corinthians 14:3 - Purpose of Prophecy"). It was a means by which God directly communicated His truth and will to His people, building up the community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [1 Thessalonians 5:20](/1_thessalonians/5-20 "1 Thessalonians 5:20 - Do Not Despise Prophesyings") directly addresses the proper reception of spiritual gifts, its Christ-centered fulfillment lies in recognizing Jesus as the ultimate Prophet and the very embodiment of God's final and complete revelation. All true prophecy, whether in the Old Testament or the New, ultimately points to Christ, finds its meaning in Him, and is empowered by His Spirit. He is the "Word made flesh" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the one through whom God has "spoken to us by his Son" ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken by His Son")). The Holy Spirit, whom Christ promised to send ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Helper, the Holy Spirit")), is the source of all spiritual gifts, including prophecy, enabling believers to speak God's truth in a way that testifies to Jesus and builds up His body. Therefore, to "despise not prophesyings" is, at its core, to honor the ongoing work of the Spirit of Christ in His church, which always aims to exalt Christ and draw people into deeper relationship with Him, the perfect and final revelation of God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 14:3

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men [to] edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

1 Corinthians 14:6

¶ Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

1 Corinthians 14:1

¶ Follow after charity, and desire spiritual [gifts], but rather that ye may prophesy.

1 Corinthians 14:22

Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying [serveth] not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

1 Corinthians 14:25

And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on [his] face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

Numbers 11:25

And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that [was] upon him, and gave [it] unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, [that], when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.

Numbers 11:29

And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, [and] that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!