1 Thessalonians 5:20

1 Thessalonians 5:20

Despise not prophesyings.

a. NLT: Do not scoff at prophecies,

b. NIV: Do not treat prophecies with contempt

    

c. YLT: Prophesyings despise not;

d. Amplified Bible Classic: Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning].

e. Worrell Translation: Despise not prophesyings.

f. Wuest Translation: Stop counting as nothing divine revelations given in the local assembly by the one who receives them.

1. “Despise not prophesyings.”

a. Despise [Strong: 1848 exoutheneo ex-oo-then-eh'-o a variation of 1847 and meaning the same:--contemptible, despise, least esteemed, set at nought.]

b. not [Strong: 3361 me may a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations.]

c. prophesyings [Strong: 4394 propheteia prof-ay-ti'-ah from 4396 ("prophecy"); prediction (scriptural or other):--prophecy, prophesying.]

1). There are groups within the Body of Christ that deny the gifts of the Spirit in the church today. These groups teach that the gifts of the Spirit died out with the apostles and they are no longer needed with the church.

a). 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

b). 1 Corinthians 14:1-6 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

14:6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

c). 1 Corinthians 14:36-40 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

14:38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

2). Concerning the last passage listed (1 Corinthians 14:36-40), note that Paul writes that the believers of the Corinthian church were to “acknowledge” that the instructions concerning prophesying and speaking with tongues were the commandments of the Lord. Paul then writes in 2 Corinthians 1:13 to those same Corinthians and us that we are to acknowledge the commandments of the Lord, concerning prophesying and speaking with tongues “to the end”.

a). 2 Corinthians 1:13  For we write none other things unto you, that what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;