1 Thessalonians 5:21

KJV

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

KJV (with Strong's)

Prove {G1381} all things {G3956}; hold fast {G2722} that which {G3588} is good {G2570}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But do test everything — hold onto what is good,

Berean Standard Bible

but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.

American Standard Version

prove all things; hold fast that which is good;

Commentary

### 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
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the concluding section of Paul's first epistle to the Thessalonians, specifically within a rapid-fire series of ethical and spiritual imperatives (1 Thessalonians 5:12-22). These directives follow Paul’s extensive teaching on the Lord’s return and the hope of resurrection. Immediately preceding 1 Thessalonians 5:21 are commands such as "Rejoice evermore" ([1 Thessalonians 5:16](/1_thessalonians/5-16 "1 Thessalonians 5:16 - Always Rejoice")), "Pray without ceasing" ([1 Thessalonians 5:17](/1_thessalonians/5-17 "1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray Continually")), and "In every thing give thanks" ([1 Thessalonians 5:18](/1_thessalonians/5-18 "1 Thessalonians 5:18 - Give Thanks in Everything")). Crucially, it directly follows the warnings "Quench not the Spirit" ([1 Thessalonians 5:19](/1_thessalonians/5-19 "1 Thessalonians 5:19 - Do Not Quench the Spirit")) and "Despise not prophesyings" ([1 Thessalonians 5:20](/1_thessalonians/5-20 "1 Thessalonians 5:20 - Do Not Despise Prophecy")). This sequence highlights a vital balance: while believers are encouraged to be open to the Spirit's work and prophetic utterances, they are simultaneously commanded to exercise critical discernment to distinguish between genuine and false manifestations, ensuring the community's spiritual health and doctrinal purity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early Christian church was a dynamic environment characterized by rapid growth, new revelations, and the emergence of diverse teachings. In cities like Thessalonica, where believers were relatively new converts from paganism, there was a significant need for clear guidance on how to navigate spiritual experiences and new doctrines. The absence of a fully canonized New Testament meant that oral traditions, apostolic teachings, and prophetic utterances held immense weight, but also presented potential for error or deception. False teachers and deceptive spirits were a recognized threat, as evidenced by warnings in other epistles (e.g., [2 Peter 2:1-3](/2_peter/2-1-3 "2 Peter 2:1-3 - Warnings Against False Teachers")). Paul's instruction here provides a crucial safeguard, empowering the Thessalonians to evaluate claims and teachings against the standard of apostolic truth, preventing them from being led astray by enthusiasm without discernment or by outright falsehood.
* **Key Themes:** The verse encapsulates several pivotal themes central to Paul's theology and the broader Christian life. Foremost is the theme of **Active Discernment**, which emphasizes that faith is not a passive acceptance of all claims but an active, critical engagement with truth. This involves a **Thorough Examination** of ideas, teachings, and spiritual phenomena, implying a rigorous, testing process rather than a superficial glance. The Greek word for "prove" (δοκιμάζω) often refers to testing metals for purity, underscoring the depth of this examination. Following this, the theme of **Clinging to Truth** becomes paramount: once something is validated as "good" – inherently noble, excellent, and morally sound – the believer is commanded to "hold fast" to it. This signifies a resolute commitment to integrating verified truth into one's life and belief system, fostering spiritual maturity and stability in a world of shifting ideologies, a principle also echoed in Paul's call for believers to "approve things that are excellent" in [Philippians 1:10](/philippians/1-10 "Philippians 1:10 - Approving What Is Excellent").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prove (Greek, _dokimázō_):** This verb signifies to test, examine, scrutinize, or assay, often with the specific intent of approving after the test. It implies a rigorous process of evaluation, akin to assaying metals for purity or examining coins for authenticity. For believers, this testing process involves measuring teachings and experiences against the revealed Word of God and the character of Christ. It is not about questioning God's truth, but about discerning what *claims* to be true.
* **Hold fast (Greek, _katéchō_):** Meaning to hold down, hold firmly, possess, or retain. This term conveys the idea of a strong, unwavering grip. Once something has been rigorously tested and proven to be good, the believer is to cling to it resolutely, integrating it into their life and refusing to let go, even in the face of opposition or new trends.
* **Good (Greek, _kalós_):** This adjective describes that which is beautiful, excellent, noble, and morally sound. It refers to intrinsic goodness, distinguishing it from merely "useful" or "pleasant" (ἀγαθός, _agathós_). When something is "kalós," it is inherently virtuous, honorable, and aligns with God's perfect standard. The command is to hold fast to that which is truly excellent and morally upright.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Prove all things":** This imperative calls believers to engage in a comprehensive and critical evaluation of every teaching, prophecy, spiritual experience, and idea presented to them. The word "all" (G3956, _pâs_) emphasizes the universal scope of this command, leaving no area of belief or practice exempt from scrutiny. It implies an active, discerning posture, rather than passive acceptance, urging believers to apply rigorous testing to ensure authenticity and truthfulness.
* **"hold fast that which is good":** This second imperative provides the necessary complement to the first. Once the testing process has been completed, and something is found to be truly "good" (G2570, _kalós_)—excellent, noble, and morally sound—the believer is commanded to firmly retain it. This involves not just intellectual assent but a deep commitment to integrate and live by that verified truth, ensuring it becomes a foundational element of one's faith and conduct.

#### 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.

* [1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "Test the Spirits")
* [Philippians 1:10](/philippians/1-10 "Discern What Is Excellent")
* [Titus 1:9](/titus/1-9 "Holding Fast to the Faithful Word")

### 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
* **In what areas of my life (e.g., media consumption, spiritual teachings, personal advice) do I need to apply the command to "prove all things" more diligently?**
* **What standards or criteria do I currently use to "prove" or evaluate information and teachings, and how can I better align these with biblical principles?**
* **Once I have discerned something as "good" and true, how effectively do I "hold fast" to it, integrating it into my daily life and resisting the urge to compromise?**
* **How does my commitment to discernment contribute to the health and purity of my local church community?**

### 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](/1_thessalonians/5-19 "1 Thessalonians 5:19 - Do Not Quench the Spirit")) and "Despise not prophesyings" ([1 Thessalonians 5:20](/1_thessalonians/5-20 "1 Thessalonians 5:20 - Do Not Despise Prophecy")). 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](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life")), Christ Himself is the benchmark against which all things must be tested. All wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, in whom are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge")), 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](/hebrews/1-1-3 "Hebrews 1:1-3 - God's Son, the Radiance of His Glory")), making Him the ultimate criterion for all discernment and the eternal object of our steadfast faith.

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 John 4:1

¶ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Ephesians 5:10

Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Acts 17:11

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Luke 12:57

Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

Romans 12:9

[Let] love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.