Testing and Holding Fast to Good in 1 Thessalonians 5:21
In 1 Thessalonians 5:21, Paul instructs believers to "Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21). This verse appears within a series of exhortations at the close of Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, following instructions regarding prophecy and discerning spiritual manifestations [1, 5]. The broader context of 1 Thessalonians 5 includes themes of Christ's coming, living in the light, and various ethical duties such as comforting one another and pursuing good [7, 8, 9].
The phrase "Test all things" (Greek: panta dokimazete) implies a process of examination and discernment [1, 2]. Commentators suggest this testing applies particularly to the "prophesyings" mentioned in the preceding verse (1 Thessalonians 5:20), which should not be despised but rather evaluated [5, 6]. Adam Clarke's commentary on 1 Thessalonians 5:21 advises examining what is heard in preaching and prophesying "by the words of Christ, and by the doctrines which, from time to time, we have delivered unto you in our preaching and writings" [4]. This suggests a standard of apostolic teaching and Scripture for evaluation [5, 6]. The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge cross-references 1 Thessalonians 5:21 with 1 Corinthians 14:28, which discusses the regulation of prophetic speech in the church [3].
The purpose of this testing is to "hold fast that which is good" (to kalon katechete) [2]. This means retaining what is found to be genuine and beneficial after scrutiny [4, 6]. The "good" here refers to prophecies that align with apostolic teaching, build up the church, and demonstrate a character consistent with the Lord [6]. Adam Clarke further specifies that "that which is good" includes whatever "has a tendency to increase your faith, love, holiness, and usefulness" [4]. This discernment was crucial in the early church, as there were teachers who claimed divine inspiration but were not genuine [4]. The ability to discern spirits was a gift present in the early church, as noted in 1 Corinthians 12:10 and 14:29 [5, 6]. Believers are encouraged to cling to what is proven to be true and edifying, rejecting what is false or harmful [5, 6].
Sources
- 1 Thessalonians “Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. -- 1 Thessalonians 5:21”
- I Thessalonians “I Thessalonians 5:21 (LITV) — Test all things, hold fast to the good.”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “1 Corinthians 14:28 cross-references: 1 Thessalonians 5:21”
- 1 Thessalonians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Thessalonians 5:21: Prove 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 teachers even at that time who professed to be of God, and yet were not.”
- 1 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Thessalonians 5:21: 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" (Co1 12:10; Co1 14:29; Jo1 4:1). Another sure test, which we also have, is, to try the professed revelation whether it accords with Scripture, as the noble Bereans did (Isa 8:20; Act 17:11; Gal”
- 1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 5:20: 5:20-21 Prophecy, meant to build up the church (1 Cor 14:1-4), should not be rejected. Instead, the Thessalonians should test the prophecies (1 Cor 12:10; 14:29) to discern their origin, to check their agreement with the teaching of the apostles (2 Thes 2:2; 1 Jn 4:1-3), and to gauge the character of those who utter them (Matt 7:15-20). Early Christian teaching said, “Not everyone who speaks about spiritual things is a prophet, but only if the person’s conduct is like the Lord” (Didache 11:8). They should hold on to what is good—namely, prophecies that ha”
- 1 Thessalonians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Thessalonians 5 (introduction): The apostle continues to speak of Christ's coming to judgment, and the uncertainty of the time in which it shall take place, and the careless state of sinners, Th1 5:1-3. Shows the Thessalonians that they are children of the light; that they should watch and pray, and put on the armor of God, being called to obtain salvation by Christ, who died for them; that whether dead or alive, when the day of judgment comes, they may live for ever with him; and that they should comfort and edify each other with these considerations, Th1 5:4-11. He exhorts t”
- 1 Thessalonians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Thessalonians 5:11: Comfort - one another - Rest assured that, in all times and circumstances, it shall be well with the righteous; let every man lay this to heart; and with this consideration comfort and edify each other in all trials and difficulties.”
- 1 Thessalonians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Thessalonians 5:11: In these words the apostle exhorts the Thessalonians to several duties. I. Towards those who were nearly related one to another. Such should comfort themselves, or exhort one another, and edify one another, Th1 5:11. 1. They must comfort or exhort themselves and one another; for the original word may be rendered both these ways. And we may observe, As those are most able and likely to comfort others who can comfort themselves, so the way to have comfort ourselves, or to administer comfort to others, is by compliance with the exhortation of the word. Note,”