1 Thessalonians 5:21

1 Thessalonians 5:21

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

a. NLT: But test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.

b. NIV: But test them all; hold on to what is good,

    

c. YLT: All things prove; that which is good hold fast;

d. Amplified Bible Classic: But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast.

e. Worrell Translation: But prove all things, hold fastto that which is good.

f. Wuest Translation: But be putting all things to the test for the purpose of approving them, and finding that they meet the requirements, put your approval upon them.

1. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”

a. Prove [Strong: 1381 dokimazo dok-im-ad'-zo from 1384; to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve:--allow, discern, examine, X like, (ap-)prove, try.]

b. all things [Strong: 3956 pas pas including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.]

c. hold fast [Strong: 2722 katecho kat-ekh'-o from 2596 and 2192; to hold down (fast), in various applications (literally or figuratively):--have, hold (fast), keep (in memory), let, X make toward, possess, retain, seize on, stay, take, withhold.]

d. that which [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

e. is good [Strong: 2570 kalos kal-os' of uncertain affinity; properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e. valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished from 18, which is properly intrinsic):--X better, fair, good(-ly), honest, meet, well, worthy.]

1). The proving of all things directly refers to what was said in the previous verse namely prophetic utterances. We must prove the things that we are able to.

a). 1 John 4:1-3 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.