1 Thessalonians 5:20

1 Thessalonians 5:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Despise not prophesyings.
• New International Version (NIV)Do not treat prophecies with contempt
• English Standard Version (ESV)Do not despise prophecies,
• New King James Version (NKJV)Do not despise prophecies.

Context of 1 Thessalonians 5:20

18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. 21Examine all things; hold fast that which is good. 22Abstain from all appearance of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:20 word by word

προφητείας μὴ ἐξουθενεῖτε·Read the interlinear

• Despiseἐξουθενέωexoutheneō · to rejectG1848
• notμήmē · notG3361
• prophesyingsπροφητείαprophēteia · prophecyG4394

Cross-references for 1 Thessalonians 5:20

• 1 Thessalonians 4:8He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given to us his Holy Spirit.
• Numbers 11:25And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it to the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
• 1 Samuel 10:5After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou hast come there to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:
• 1 Samuel 19:20And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.
• Acts 19:6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.
• 1 Corinthians 11:4Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
• 1 Corinthians 12:10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another various kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
• 1 Corinthians 13:2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
• 1 Corinthians 14:1Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
• Ephesians 4:11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
• Revelation 11:3And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.

Commentaries on 1 Thessalonians 5:20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20Despise not prophesyings - Do not suppose that ye have no need of continual instruction; without it ye cannot preserve the Christian life, nor go on to perfection. God will ever send a message of salvation by each of his ministers to every faithful, attentive hearer. Do not suppose that ye are already wise enough; you are no more wise enough than you are holy enough. They who slight or neglect the means of grace, and especially the preaching of God's holy…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20Despise not prophesyings - On the subject of prophesyings in the early Christian church, see the notes on 1 Corinthians 14:1 ff1 ff. The reference here seems to be to preaching. They were not to undervalue it in comparison with other things. It is possible that in Thessalonica, as appears to have been the case subsequently in Corinth (compare 1 Corinthians 14:19), there were those who regarded the power of working miracles, or of speaking in unknown…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. 2020. prophesyings--whether exercised in inspired teaching, or in predicting the future. "Despised" by some as beneath "tongues," which seemed most miraculous; therefore declared by Paul to be a greater gift than tongues, though the latter were more showy (1Co 14:5).Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Thessalonians 5:20

• Commandments
• Miracles
• Religion
• Word of God

In the dictionaries

• Edify
• Greet
• Patient
• Quench
• Render
• Sudden
• Warn
• Ministry
• Spiritual Gifts
• 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