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 Living Translation (NLT)but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.

Context of 1 Thessalonians 5:21

19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22Abstain from every form of evil. 23Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved 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 8:20To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
• Matthew 7:15“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
• Mark 7:14When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand:
• Luke 12:57“Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?
• Acts 17:11These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
• Romans 12:2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
• 1 Corinthians 2:11For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
• 1 Corinthians 14:28But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.
• Ephesians 5:10finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
• Philippians 1:10that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,
• 1 John 4:1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
• Revelation 2:2“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
• Deuteronomy 11:6and what He did to Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben: how the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, their households, their tents, and all the substance that was in their possession, in the midst of all Israel—
• Deuteronomy 32:46and he said to them: “Set your hearts on all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe—all the words of this law.
• Proverbs 3:1My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;
• Proverbs 4:13Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she 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