1 Thessalonians 5:21

1 Thessalonians 5:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
• New International Version (NIV)but test them all; hold on to what is good,
• English Standard Version (ESV)but test everything; hold fast what is good.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Test all things; hold fast what is good.

Context of 1 Thessalonians 5:21

19Do not extinguish the Spirit. 20Do not treat prophecies with contempt. But examine all things; hold fast to what is good. 22Stay away from every form of evil. 23Now may the God of peace himself make you completely holy and may your spirit and soul and body be kept entirely blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 word by word

πάντα δὲ δοκιμάζετε· τὸ καλὸν κατέχετε·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Proveδοκιμάζωdokimazō · to testG1381
• all thingsπᾶςpas · allG3956
• hold fastκατέχωkatechō · to hold back/fastG2722
• that which is goodκαλόςkalos · goodG2570

Cross-references for 1 Thessalonians 5:21

• Isaiah 8:20Then you must recall the Lord’s instructions and the prophetic testimony of what would happen. Certainly they say such things because their minds are spiritually darkened.
• Matthew 7:15“Watch out for false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are voracious wolves.
• Mark 7:14Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand.
• Luke 12:57“And why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?
• Acts 17:11These Jews were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they eagerly received the message, examining the scriptures carefully every day to see if these things were so.
• Romans 12:2Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God – what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.
• 1 Corinthians 2:11For who among men knows the things of a man except the man’s spirit within him? So too, no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
• 1 Corinthians 14:28But if there is no interpreter, he should be silent in the church. Let him speak to himself and to God.
• Ephesians 5:10trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
• Philippians 1:10so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ,
• 1 John 4:1Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
• Revelation 2:2‘I know your works as well as your labor and steadfast endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have even put to the test those who refer to themselves as apostles (but are not), and have discovered that they are false.
• Deuteronomy 11:6or what he did to Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab the Reubenite, when the earth opened its mouth in the middle of the Israelite camp and swallowed them, their families, their tents, and all the property they brought with them.
• Deuteronomy 32:46he said to them, “Keep in mind all the words I am solemnly proclaiming to you today; you must command your children to observe carefully all the words of this law.
• Proverbs 3:1My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,
• Proverbs 4:13Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; protect it, because it is your life.

Commentaries on 1 Thessalonians 5:21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21Prove all things - Whatever ye hear in these prophesyings or preachings, examine by the words of Christ, and by the doctrines which, from time to time, we have delivered unto you in our preaching and writings. Try the spirits - the different teachers, by the word of God. Hold fast that which is good - Whatever in these prophesyings has a tendency to increase your faith, love, holiness, and usefulness, that receive and hold fast. There were prophets or…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21Prove all things - Subject everything submitted to you to be believed to the proper test. The word here used ( ́ 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…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-22Verses 16-22 We are to rejoice in 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. A truly religious life is a life of constant joy. And we should rejoice more, if we prayed more. Prayer will help forward all lawful business, and every good work. If we pray without ceasing, we shall not want matter for thanksgiving in every thing. We shall see…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20-21Do not treat prophecies with contempt: No one should dismiss prophecy intended to spiritually strengthen the church (1 Corinthians 14:1–4). Instead, the Thessalonians should evaluate the prophecies to understand where they come from. Paul says they should make sure any prophecies align with the apostles' teachings (1 Corinthians 12:10; 14:29; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 1 John 4:1–3). The church should also assess the character of those who deliver the…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 21-2221-22. Some of the oldest manuscripts insert "But." You ought indeed not to "quench" the manifestations of "the Spirit," nor "despise prophesyings"; "but," at the same time, do not take "all" as genuine which professes to be so; "prove (test) all" such manifestations. The means of testing them existed in the Church, in those who had the "discerning of spirits" (1Co 12:10; 14:29; 1Jo 4:1). Another sure test, which we also have, is, to try the professed…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Thessalonians 5:21

• Commandments
• Perseverance
• Religion
• Watchfulness

In the dictionaries

• Edify
• Greet
• Patient
• Quench
• Render
• Sudden
• Warn
• Good
• Prove
• Thessalonians, the First Epistle of Paul to the

Commentaries on 1 Thessalonians 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings