1 Thessalonians 5:21

Contextual Overview

¹⁶ Always be full of joy. ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁶ Reioyce ever. ¹⁶ Rejoice always. ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁶ Always be joyful. ¹⁶ Rejoice always; ¹⁶ Rejoice evermore. ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁶ Rejoice always.

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
Lamech was the son of Methuselah. Methuselah was the son of Enoch. Enoch was the son of Jared. Jared was the son of Mahalaleel. Mahalaleel was the son of Cainan.

Luke 3:37
which was the sonne of Mathusala: which was the sonne of Enoch: which was the sonne of Iareth: which was the sonne of Malalehel. which was the sonne of Cainan:

Luke 3:37
the son of Metushelach, the son of Hanokh, the son of Yered, the son of Mahalal'el, the son of Kenan,

Luke 3:37
the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,

Luke 3:37
the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,

Luke 3:37
Lamech was the son of Methuselah. Methuselah was the son of Enoch. Enoch was the son of Jared. Jared was the son of Mahalalel. Mahalalel was the son of Kenan.

Luke 3:37
the [son] of Methuselah, the [son] of Enoch, the [son] of Jared, the [son] of Mahalaleel, the [son] of Cainan,

Luke 3:37
Who was [the son] of Methuselah, who was [the son] of Enoch, who was [the son] of Jared, who was [the son] of Maleleel, who was [the son] of Cainan,

Luke 3:37
the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,

Luke 3:37
the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, 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.