1 Thessalonians 5:20-21
Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's so easy to hear "don't despise prophecies" and think it's about ignoring super-spiritual pronouncements. But Paul's likely referring to the ordinary, everyday messages from God that were being shared within the church, urging believers to pay attention to them, even if they didn't always sound like booming pronouncements from on high.
Paul is wrapping up his letter with practical advice for living out their faith, building on the anticipation of Jesus' return. Just before this, he urged them to test everything and hold onto what is good, which directly sets up this instruction not to dismiss spiritual messages but to discern them wisely. This comes right before he calls them to examine all things and hold onto what is good, urging them to test everything and hold on to what is good.
In a world flooded with opinions, how do we discern God's voice? Paul urges us not to dismiss 'prophecies.' But what does that even mean today?
The Heart of Prophecy
When Paul talks about 'prophecies' here, he's not just talking about predicting the future. Anciently, and still today, prophecy in the biblical sense is primarily about speaking God's truth to people.
It's easy to brush off things that seem strange or challenging. But Paul warns against a specific kind of dismissal – one that shuts the door on God's very communication.
Shutting Down the Spirit
Despising prophecy means treating it with contempt, as if it's worthless or unimportant. Why is this so dangerous?
Understand the original words
exoutheneite · Greek Verb
To treat with contempt, look down upon, or disregard as unworthy; to consider something of little value or importance.
prophēteias · Greek Noun
Divinely inspired messages or utterances communicated through individuals, designed to edify, exhort, and comfort the body of believers by revealing God’s truth and perspective.
dokimazete · Greek Verb
The process of examining, proving, or scrutinizing something to determine its genuineness, quality, or validity. In a spiritual context, it involves discerning truth from error by applying God's word.
katechete · Greek Verb
To keep, hold, or guard something securely. It implies a firm grasp or commitment to a teaching, tradition, or principle, refusing to let it go.
The early church, including the Thessalonians, experienced prophecy directly, but also faced challenges with discernment. Paul's instruction to 'not despise prophecies' was a call to value God's message while still testing its authenticity, a tension that continued to shape church history.
c. AD 49-51
Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica
The Apostle Paul established the church in Thessalonica during his second missionary journey, facing significant opposition from both Jewish and Gentile communities.
c. AD 50-52— this verse
First and Second Thessalonians Written
Paul, Silas, and Timothy wrote these letters from Corinth to encourage the Thessalonian believers amidst persecution and to correct misunderstandings about Christ's return.
Early Church Period
Development of Spiritual Gifts
The early church saw a vibrant expression of spiritual gifts, including prophecy, as described in Paul's letters and practiced within the community.
c. AD 90-100
First John Written
The Apostle John, likely one of the last of the original apostles, addresses false teachings and emphasizes discernment, indirectly reinforcing the need for testing prophetic utterances.
This passage directly echoes the instruction not to despise prophecy, further emphasizing the importance of discerning spiritual messages within the church.
1 Samuel 3:1This story shows a young Samuel, who initially didn't recognize God's voice, illustrating how even prophetic messages can be missed if one isn't attentive or properly guided.
Acts 17:11The Bereans are commended for examining the prophecies of Paul and Silas daily, showing a model of how to receive prophetic words with eager inquiry rather than dismissal.
Jeremiah 20:7Jeremiah laments that he was persuaded by the Lord to prophesy, highlighting the often difficult and unwelcome nature of God's messages, which some might be tempted to despise.
It's so easy to hear "don't despise prophecies" and think it's about ignoring super-spiritual pronouncements. But Paul's likely referring to the ordinary, everyday messages from God that were being shared within the church, urging believers to pay attention to them, even if they didn't always sound like booming pronouncements from on high.
Paul is wrapping up his letter with practical advice for living out their faith, building on the anticipation of Jesus' return. Just before this, he urged them to test everything and hold onto what is good, which directly sets up this instruction not to dismiss spiritual messages but to discern them wisely. This comes right before he calls them to examine all things and hold onto what is good, urging them to test everything and hold on to what is good.
Paul is wrapping up his letter with practical advice for living out their faith, building on the anticipation of Jesus' return. Just before this, he urged them to test everything and hold onto what is good, which directly sets up this instruction not to dismiss spiritual messages but to discern them wisely. This comes right before he calls them to examine all things and hold onto what is good, urging them to test everything and hold on to what is good.
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kalou · Greek Adjective
That which possesses inherent moral, spiritual, or ethical excellence according to God's standard. It is the opposite of evil and is aligned with the character of God.
c. AD 150-200
Montanism Emerges
A movement emphasizing prophetic utterances and new revelation arose, challenging established church authority and prompting further reflection on the nature and role of prophecy.
"Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good." — It's so easy to hear "don't despise prophecies" and think it's about ignoring super-spiritual pronouncements. But Paul's likely referring to the ordinary, everyday messages from God that were being s…
