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Monday, October 7th, 2024
the Week of Proper 22 / Ordinary 27
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Read the Bible

King James Version

1 Thessalonians 5:21

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Commandments;   Perseverance;   Religion;   Watchfulness;   Thompson Chain Reference - All Things;   Daily Duty;   Duty;   Exhortations;   Hold Fast;   Prove All Things;   Things, All;   The Topic Concordance - Proof;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Steadfastness;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Gifts of the spirit;   Interpretation;   Judgment;   Prophecy, prophet;   Teacher;   Testing;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Temptation, Test;   Thessalonians, First and Second, Theology of;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Assurance;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Thessalonians, the Epistles to the;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Offices in the New Testament;   Prophecy, Prophets;   1 Thessalonians;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Judging;   Perfection;   Spiritual Gifts;   Thessalonians, First Epistle to the;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Abstinence;   Holy Spirit;   Judge Judging (Ethical);   Judging (by Men);   Preaching;   Temptation, Trial;   Thessalonians Epistles to the;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Good;   Prove;   Thessalonians, the First Epistle of Paul to the;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for July 15;   Every Day Light - Devotion for December 14;  

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;
Legacy Standard Bible
but examine all things; hold fast to that which is good;
Simplified Cowboy Version
But at the same time, don't be gullible. If it's right, tie hard and fast to it.
Bible in Basic English
Let all things be tested; keep to what is good;
Darby Translation
but prove all things, hold fast the right;
Christian Standard Bible®
but test all things. Hold on to what is good.
World English Bible
Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Weymouth's New Testament
but test all such, and retain hold of the good.
King James Version (1611)
Proue all things: hold fast that which is good.
Literal Translation
Test all things, hold fast the good.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
proue all thiges, & kepe yt which is good.
Mace New Testament (1729)
bring every thing to the test: if it be proof, abide by that:
Amplified Bible
But test all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good.
American Standard Version
prove all things; hold fast that which is good;
Revised Standard Version
but test everything; hold fast what is good,
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Examen all thinges and kepe that which is good.
Update Bible Version
but prove all things; hold fast that which is good;
Webster's Bible Translation
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Young's Literal Translation
all things prove; that which is good hold fast;
New Century Version
But test everything. Keep what is good,
New English Translation
But examine all things; hold fast to what is good.
Berean Standard Bible
but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.
Contemporary English Version
Put everything to the test. Accept what is good
Complete Jewish Bible
But do test everything — hold onto what is good,
English Standard Version
but test everything; hold fast what is good.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Try all things, & keepe that which is good.
George Lamsa Translation
Prove all things, uphold that which is good.
Hebrew Names Version
Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good.
International Standard Version
Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good,1 Corinthians 2:11,15; Philippians 4:8; 1 John 4:1;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
Prove every thing, and what is good retain.
Murdock Translation
Explore every thing, and hold fast the good:
New King James Version
Test all things; hold fast what is good.
New Living Translation
but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.
New Life Bible
Test everything and do not let good things get away from you.
English Revised Version
prove all things; hold fast that which is good;
New Revised Standard
but test everything; hold fast to what is good;
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, all things, put to the proof - what is comely, hold ye fast:
Douay-Rheims Bible
But prove all things: hold fast that which is good.
Lexham English Bible
but examine all things; hold fast to what is good.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Examine all thynges, holde fast that which is good.
Easy-to-Read Version
But test everything. Keep what is good,
New American Standard Bible
but examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good,
Good News Translation
Put all things to the test: keep what is good
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But preue ye alle thingis, and holde ye that thing that is good.

Contextual Overview

16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Prove: Isaiah 8:20, Matthew 7:15-20, Mark 7:14-16, Luke 12:57, Acts 17:11, Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 2:11, 1 Corinthians 2:14, 1 Corinthians 2:15, 1 Corinthians 14:28, Ephesians 5:10, Philippians 1:10, *marg. 1 John 4:1, Revelation 2:2

hold: Deuteronomy 11:6-9, Deuteronomy 32:46, Deuteronomy 32:47, Proverbs 3:1, Proverbs 3:21-24, Proverbs 4:13, Proverbs 6:21-23, Proverbs 23:23, Song of Solomon 3:4, John 8:31, John 15:4, Acts 11:23, Acts 14:22, Romans 12:9, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Philippians 3:16, Philippians 4:8, 2 Thessalonians 2:15, 2 Timothy 1:15, 2 Timothy 3:6, 2 Timothy 4:14, Hebrews 10:23, Revelation 2:25, Revelation 3:3, Revelation 3:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:12 - double Job 34:4 - choose Proverbs 21:21 - that Ecclesiastes 1:17 - I gave Jeremiah 8:5 - they hold Amos 5:15 - Hate John 1:46 - Come Acts 13:7 - a prudent Romans 2:18 - approvest the things that are more excellent 1 Corinthians 10:15 - General 2 Timothy 1:13 - Hold Titus 1:9 - Holding Hebrews 5:14 - to discern Revelation 2:13 - thou holdest

Cross-References

Luke 3:37
Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan,

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Prove all things,.... That are said by the prophets, all the doctrines which they deliver; hear them, though they have not the gift of tongues, and all desirable advantages; do not reject them on that account, and refuse to hear them, for so, many useful men may be laid aside, and the Spirit of God in them be quenched; try their gifts, and attend to their doctrines, yet do not implicitly believe everything they say, but examine them according to the word of God the test and standard of truth; search the Scriptures, whether the things they say are true or not. Not openly erroneous persons, and known heretics, are to be heard and attended on, but the ministers of the word, or such who are said to have a gift of prophesying; these should make use of it, and the church should try and judge their gift, and accordingly encourage or discourage; and also their doctrines, and if false reject them, and if true receive them.

Hold fast that which is good; honest, pleasant, profitable, and agreeable to sound doctrine, to the analogy of faith, and the Scriptures of truth, and is useful and edifying, instructive both as to principle and practice; such should be held fast, that no man take it away; and be retained, though a majority may be against it, for the multitude is not always on the side of truth; and though it may be rejected by men of learning and wealth, as Christ and his doctrines were rejected by the Scribes and Pharisees, and rulers of the people; and though it may be reproached as a novel, upstart notion, or a licentious one, since these were charges against the doctrine of Christ, and his apostles; and though it may be attended with affliction and persecution, yet none of these things should move from it, or cause to let it go.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Prove all things - Subject everything submitted to you to be believed to the proper test. The word here used (δοκιμάζετε 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 on trust; to take it on assertion; to believe it because it was urged with vehemence, zeal, or plausibility. In the various opinions and doctrines which were submitted to them for adoption, they were to apply the appropriate tests from reason and the word of God, and what they found to be true they were to embrace; what was false they were to reject. Christianity does not require people to disregard their reason, or to be credulous. It does not expect them to believe anything because others say it is so. It does not make it a duty to receive as undoubted truth all that synods and councils have decreed; or all that is advanced by the ministers of religion. It is, more than any other form of religion, the friend of free inquiry, and would lead people everywhere to understand the reason of the opinions which they entertain; compare Acts 17:11-12; 1 Peter 3:15.

Hold fast that which is good - Which is in accordance with reason and the word of God; which is adapted to promote the salvation of the soul and the welfare of society. This is just as much a duty as it is to “prove all things.” A man who has applied the proper tests, and has found out what is truth, is bound to embrace it and to hold it fast. He is not at liberty to throw it away, as if it were valueless; or to treat truth and falsehood alike. It is a duty which he owes to himself and to God to adhere to it firmly, and to suffer the loss of all things rather than to abandon it. There are few more important rules in the New Testament than the one in this passage. It shows what is the true nature of Christianity, and it is a rule whose practical value cannot but be felt constantly in our lives. Other religions require their votaries to receive everything upon trust; Christianity asks us to examine everything.

Error, superstition, bigotry, and fanaticism attempt to repress free discussion, by saying that there are certain things which are too sacred in their nature, or which have been too long held, or which are sanctioned by too many great and holy names, to permit their being subjected to the scrutiny of common eyes, or to be handled by common hands. In opposition to all this, Christianity requires us to examine everything - no matter by whom held; by what councils ordained; by what venerableness of antiquity sustained; or by what sacredness it may be invested. We are to receive no opinion until we are convinced that it is true; we are to be subjected to no pains or penalties for not believing what we do not perceive to be true; we are to be prohibited from examining no opinion which our fellow-men regard as true, and which they seek to make others believe. No popular current in favor of any doctrine; no influence which name and rank and learning can give it, is to commend it to us as certainly worthy of our belief. By whomsoever held, we are to examine it freely before we embrace it; but when we are convinced that it is true, it is to be held, no matter what current of popular opinion or prejudice maybe against it; no matter what ridicule may be poured upon it; and no matter though the belief of it may require us to die a martyr’s death.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 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.


 
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