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Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 5 verses 16–22
Here we have divers short exhortations, that will not burden our memories, but will be of great use to direct the motions of our hearts and lives; for the duties are of great importance, and we may observe how they are connected together, and have a dependence upon one another. 1. Rejoice evermore, Th1 5:16. This must be understood of spiritual joy; for we must rejoice in our creature-comforts as if we rejoiced not, and must not expect to live many years, and rejoice in them all; but, if we do rejoice in God, we may do that evermore. In him our joy will be full; and it is our fault if we have not a continual feast. If we are sorrowful upon any worldly account, yet still we may always rejoice, Co2 6:10. Note, A religious life is a pleasant life, it is a life of constant joy. 2. Pray without ceasing, Th1 5:17. Note, The way to rejoice evermore is to pray without ceasing. We should rejoice more if we prayed more. We should keep up stated times for prayer, and continue instant in prayer. We should pray always, and not faint: pray without weariness, and continue in prayer, till we come to that world where prayer shall be swallowed up in praise. The meaning is not that men should do nothing but pray, but that nothing else we do should hinder prayer in its proper season. Prayer will help forward and not hinder all other lawful business, and every good work. 3. In every thing give thanks, Th1 5:18. If we pray without ceasing, we shall not want matter for thanksgiving in every thing. As we must in every thing make our requests known to God by supplications, so we must not omit thanksgiving, Phi 4:6. We should be thankful in every condition, even in adversity as well as prosperity. It is never so bad with us but it might be worse. If we have ever so much occasion to make our humble complaints to God, we never can have any reason to complain of God, and have always much reason to praise and give thanks: the apostle says, This is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us, that we give thanks, seeing God is reconciled to us in Christ Jesus; in him, through him, and for his sake, he allows us to rejoice evermore, and appoints us in every thing to give thanks. It is pleasing to God. 4. Quench not the Spirit (Th1 5:19), for it is this Spirit of grace and supplication that helpeth our infirmities, that assisteth us in our prayers and thanksgivings. Christians are said to be baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire. He worketh as fire, by enlightening, enlivening, and purifying the souls of men. We must be careful not to quench this holy fire. As fire is put out by withdrawing fuel, so we quench the Spirit if we do not stir up our spirits, and all that is within us, to comply with the motions of the good Spirit; and as fire is quenched by pouring water, or putting a great quantity of dirt upon it, so we must be careful not to quench the Holy Spirit by indulging carnal lusts and affections, or minding only earthly things. 5. Despise not prophesyings (Th1 5:20); for, if we neglect the means of grace, we forfeit the Spirit of grace. By prophesyings here we are to understand the preaching of the word, the interpreting and applying of the scriptures; and this we must not despise, but should prize and value, because it is the ordinance of God, appointed of him for our furtherance and increase in knowledge and grace, in holiness and comfort. We must not despise preaching, though it be plain, and not with enticing words of men's wisdom, and though we be told no more than what we knew before. It is useful, and many times needful, to have our minds stirred up, our affections and resolutions excited, to those things that we knew before to be our interest and our duty. 6. Prove all things, but hold fast that which is good, Th1 5:21. This is a needful caution, to prove all things; for, though we must put a value on preaching, we must not take things upon trust from the preacher, but try them by the law and the testimony. We must search the scriptures, whether what they say be true or not. We must not believe every spirit, but must try the spirits. But we must not be always trying, always unsettled; no, at length we must be settled, and hold fast that which is good. When we are satisfied that any thing is right, and true, and good, we must hold it fast, and not let it go, whatever opposition or whatever persecution we meet with for the sake thereof. Note, The doctrines of human infallibility, implicit faith, and blind obedience, are not the doctrines of the Bible. Every Christian has and ought to have, the judgment of discretion, and should have his senses exercised in discerning between good and evil, truth and falsehood, Heb 5:13, Heb 5:14. And proving all things must be in order to holding fast that which is good. We must not always be seekers, or fluctuating in our minds, like children tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine. 7. Abstain from all appearance of evil, Th1 5:22. This is a good means to prevent our being deceived with false doctrines, or unsettled in our faith; for our Saviour has told us (Joh 7:17), If a man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God. Corrupt affections indulged in the heart, and evil practices allowed of in the life, will greatly tend to promote fatal errors in the mind; whereas purity of heart, and integrity of life, will dispose men to receive the truth in the love of it. We should therefore abstain from evil, and all appearances of evil, from sin, and that which looks like sin, leads to it, and borders upon it. He who is not shy of the appearances of sin, who shuns not the occasions of sin, and who avoids not the temptations and approaches to sin, will not long abstain from the actual commission of sin.
"For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness; for he is a babe," and not yet acquainted with the word, according to which he has believed and works, and not able to give a reason in himself. "Prove all things," the apostle says, "and hold fast that which is good," speaking to spiritual men, who judge what is said according to truth, whether it seems or truly holds by the truth.
Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things: hold fast that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil."
For the apostle does not mean that those persons should be deemed approved who exchange their creed for heresy; although they contrariously interpret his words to their own side, when he says in another passage, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good; " as if, after proving all things amiss, one might not through error make a determined choice of some evil thing.
Let that, accordingly, be to you Scripture, and Nature, and Discipline, which you shall find to have been sanctioned by God; just as you are bidden to "examine all things, and diligently follow whatever is better."
And when a certain brother of the order of presbyters sought to deter me, and feared lest I should be involved in the same wicked filthiness, because he said that my mind would be contaminated, and indeed with truth, as I myself perceived, I was strengthened by a vision that was sent me from God. And a word spoken to me, expressly commanded me, saying, Read everything which shall come into thy hands, for thou art fit to do so, who correctest and provest each one; and from them to thee first of all has appeared the cause and the occasion of believing. I received this vision as being what was in accordance with the apostolic word, which thus urges all who are endowed with greater virtue, "Be ye skilful money-changers."
"Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. But prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil."
A thick mist, a darkness and cloud is spread over all the earth. And, showing this, the Apostle said, "For we were once darkness." (Eph. v. 8) And again, "Ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." Since therefore there is, so to speak, a moonless night, and we walk in that night, God hath given us a bright lamp, having kindled in our souls the grace of the Holy Spirit. But some who have received this light have rendered it more bright and shining, as, for instance, Paul and Peter, and all those Saints; while others have even extinguished it, as the five virgins, as those who have "made shipwreck concerning the faith," as the fornicator of Corinth, as the Galatians who were perverted.
On this account Paul says, "Quench not the Spirit," that is, the gift of grace, for it is his custom so to call the gift of the Spirit. But this an impure life extinguishes. For as any one, who has sprinkled both water and dust upon the light of our lamp, extinguishes it, and if he does not this, but only takes out the oil-so it is also with the gift of grace. For if you have cast over it earthly things, and the cares of fluctuating matters, you have quenched the Spirit. And if you have done none of these things, but a temptation coming from some other quarter has vehemently assailed it, as some wind, and if the light be not strong, and it has not much oil, or you have not closed the opening, or have not shut the door, all is undone.
But there is also another explanation. There were among them many indeed who prophesied truly, but some prophesied falsely. For the devil, of his vile craft, wished through this gift of grace to subvert everything pertaining to the Church. For since both the demon and the Spirit prophesied concerning the future, the one indeed uttering falsehood, and the other truth, and it was not possible from any quarter to receive a proof of one or the other, He gave also the "discernings of spirits." Since therefore then also among the Thessalonians many were prophesying, glancing at whom he says, "Neither by word, nor by epistle, as from us, as that the day of the Lord is now present" (2 Thess. ii. 2), he says this here.
Seest thou that this is what he means by, "Prove all things"? Because he had said, "Despise not prophesyings," lest they should think that he opened the pulpit to all, he says, "Prove all things," that is, such as are really prophecies; "and hold fast that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil"; not from this or that, but from all; that you may by proof distinguish both the true things and the false, and abstain from the latter, and hold fast the former. For thus both the hatred of the one will be vehement and the love of the other arises, when we do all things not carelessly, nor without examination, but with careful investigation.
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SUMMARY
The Apostle Paul's concise yet profound exhortation in 1 Thessalonians 5:21, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good," serves as a foundational directive for spiritual discernment and intellectual integrity within the Christian community. It calls believers to actively engage with and rigorously evaluate all teachings, experiences, and spiritual manifestations, ensuring that only what is genuinely true, noble, and beneficial is embraced and firmly retained, thereby safeguarding the purity of faith and practice.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is the Imperative Mood, which conveys a direct command ("Prove," "hold fast"). This highlights the urgency and non-negotiable nature of Paul's instruction, emphasizing that discernment is not optional but a mandatory aspect of Christian living. There is also an implied Analogy or Metaphor in the word "prove" (dokimázō), which evokes the imagery of testing metals for purity or coins for authenticity. This suggests a rigorous, objective standard against which all things must be measured, implying that just as a refiner separates dross from pure gold, believers must separate truth from falsehood. Furthermore, the verse utilizes Juxtaposition by presenting two contrasting yet complementary actions: the active process of "proving" and the steadfast act of "holding fast." This creates a dynamic tension that underscores the complete cycle of discernment: evaluation leading to retention.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The command to "prove all things; hold fast that which is good" is profoundly theological, grounding Christian practice in a commitment to truth and discernment. It asserts that truth is objective and discernible, not merely subjective experience. This principle is vital for maintaining doctrinal purity, fostering spiritual maturity, and safeguarding the community from error and deception. It implies that God has provided the means for discernment, primarily through His revealed Word and the indwelling Spirit, which enables believers to distinguish between genuine spiritual manifestations and counterfeit ones. This active discernment is a mark of spiritual maturity, moving beyond a childlike credulity to a robust faith that can withstand scrutiny and external pressures. The call to "hold fast" underscores the importance of conviction and perseverance in truth once it has been verified, forming the bedrock of Christian faithfulness.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In an age saturated with information, misinformation, and competing worldviews, 1 Thessalonians 5:21 remains an indispensable guide for believers. It challenges us to cultivate a posture of thoughtful engagement rather than passive consumption, urging us to critically assess every teaching, trend, and experience through the lens of biblical truth. This means not merely accepting what is popular or emotionally appealing, but rigorously testing it against the unchanging standard of God's Word and the character of Christ. For personal application, this translates into a commitment to diligent Bible study, prayerful discernment, and seeking wise counsel. It empowers us to be discerning consumers of media, vigilant evaluators of spiritual claims, and steadfast adherents to sound doctrine, ensuring our faith is not built on shifting sands but on the solid rock of verified truth. Ultimately, this verse calls us to be wise stewards of our beliefs, guarding the integrity of our faith and living out what is truly good in God's sight.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does "prove all things" mean we should question everything, even God's Word?
Answer: No, "prove all things" does not mean to question the inherent truth or authority of God's Word. Rather, it means to test and evaluate everything claiming to be true or from God against the established standard of God's revealed Word. The Bible itself is the ultimate standard by which all other things are proven. Just as a goldsmith tests metal against a known pure standard, believers are to test teachings, prophecies, and spiritual experiences against the unchanging truth of Scripture. This command is a safeguard for the integrity of faith, not an invitation to doubt divine revelation. It's about discerning genuine truth from counterfeits, ensuring that what we "hold fast" is truly "good" and aligned with God's will.
How does this verse relate to the preceding commands like "Quench not the Spirit" and "Despise not prophesyings"?
Answer: 1 Thessalonians 5:21 provides the crucial balance to the commands to "Quench not the Spirit" (1 Thessalonians 5:19) and "Despise not prophesyings" (1 Thessalonians 5:20). Paul encourages an openness to the work of the Holy Spirit and to spiritual gifts, including prophecy, so that believers do not stifle genuine divine activity. However, he immediately follows this with the imperative to "prove all things." This sequence indicates that while believers should not dismiss spiritual manifestations out of hand, neither should they uncritically accept them. Instead, they are called to exercise spiritual discernment, testing the source and content of prophecies and other spiritual expressions to ensure they align with God's character and revealed truth, thereby preventing deception and maintaining order and purity within the church.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The command to "prove all things; hold fast that which is good" finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect standard in Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of all that is true, noble, and eternally good. As the "way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), Christ Himself is the benchmark against which all things must be tested. All wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him (Colossians 2:3), making Him the supreme revelation of God. Therefore, to "prove all things" is, at its core, to test them by their conformity to Christ's character, teachings, and redemptive work. And to "hold fast that which is good" is to cling unwaveringly to Christ Himself, who is the sum and substance of all goodness and truth. The New Testament continually points to Jesus as the one in whom God has spoken His final and complete word (Hebrews 1:1-3), making Him the ultimate criterion for all discernment and the eternal object of our steadfast faith.