19 “Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19–22 (ESV)
These four verses form a cohesive whole. They contain five commandments from God. Therefore, they must be understood collectively as they are exegeted individually.
This is a biblical example of good things coming in small packages. The impact of God’s truth is not in the number of words the Lord chose to use. Rather, it is in the meaning and application of the words He chose to use (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
“Do not quench the Spirit.” To not quench (μὴ σβέννυτε; me’ sbennyte) is a present, active, imperative, plural verb. The adverb “not” modifies the verb “quench.” To quench means to stop or extinguish. The verb literally means to extinguish a fire. To quench means to cause a fervent activity to cease. The fervent activity in view is a prophetic work by the Holy Spirit.
“The fire of God’s Spirit is not to be doused with sin. Believers are also instructed to not grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30), but to be controlled by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18) and to walk by the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:16),” comments Dr. John MacArthur.
“Do not despise prophecies,” In the same way, the church is to not despise prophecies. To despise (ἐξουθενεῖτε; exshoutheneite) means to treat with contempt or disdain. Prophecies (προφητείας; propheteias) are messages from the Word of God. Within the context, it is not fore-telling the future but rather forth-telling, or bringing forth by preaching, the inerrant Word of God.
“This phrase can refer to a spoken revelation from God (cf. Acts 11:27–28; 1 Tim. 1:18; 4:14), but most often refers to the written word of Scripture (cf. Matt.13:14; 2 Pet. 1:19–21; Rev. 1:3; 22:7, 10, 18–19). These “prophecies” are authoritative messages from God through a well-recognized spokesman for God that, because of their divine origin, are not to be treated lightly. When God’s word is preached or read, it is to be received with great seriousness,” continues Dr. MacArthur.
“But test everything.” Likewise, to test (δοκιμάζετε; dokimazete) means to examine and determine the authenticity of an object; person, place or thing. Regarding truth, believers are to test everything (πάντα; panta). This refers to all truth claims within and outside the believing community.
“This call for careful testing and discernment is in response to the command of v. 20. One is never to downgrade the proclamation of God’s word, but to examine the preached word carefully (cf. Acts 17:10–11). What is found to be “good” is to be wholeheartedly embraced. What is “evil” or unbiblical is to be shunned,” concludes Dr. MacArthur.
“Hold fast what is good.” Similarly, to hold fast (κατέχετε; katechete) means to continually believe and to continue to follow. What is good (καλὸν; kalon) is what God says is praiseworthy and fitting. It is whatever possesses a high, moral quality.
“Abstain from every form of evil.” To abstain (ἀπέχεσθε; apechesthe) is a present, middle, imperative, plural verb. It means to be distant and away from something or someone. What believers are to be away from is evil (πονηροῦ; ponerou) referring to what is wicked and immoral. This command does not have in mind some forms of evil but every form (παντὸς εἴδους; pantos eidous) or all appearances of evil.
To summarize this series of statements, the Lord commands believers in Christ to not quench the person and work of the Holy Spirit. To do so, the church must not despise biblical preaching, test every truth claim, believe and follow what God says, and remain distant from all appearances of wickedness and evil.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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