What does I Thessalonians 5:21 mean?

Question

How are we supposed to do that?

Answer 1

examine all things, hold fast to what is good.
To me, it means, holding on to what is good, right, and just.
Check out everything by God's word and stay grounded in what is good.

Answer 2

Christians in Thessalonica were to “make sure of all things” in any prophecies they heard. (1 Thessalonians 5:20, 21) When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians (about 50 C.E.), the only part of the Greek Scriptures already written was Matthew’s Gospel. So the Thessalonians and the Beroeans could make sure of all things, likely by checking the Greek Septuagint version of the Hebrew Scriptures. They needed to read and study the Scriptures, and so do we.
The apostle Paul advised: “Put all things to the test.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21, Today’s English Version) The word used by the apostle Paul for “test” was also used in connection with testing precious metals to see if they were genuine. A prudent person always tested to see if what he was buying was genuine. Otherwise he might have ended up with what was called fool’s gold—something that looked like gold but that was, in fact, worthless.

The apostle Paul’s advice to Christians was to “make sure of all things.” Or, as the paraphrase in The Living Bible expresses it, “Test everything that is said to be sure it is true.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21) This expression means to examine and scrutinize something to see if it is genuine. It was done in ancient times in connection with precious metals. If you had the chance to purchase a gold ring or necklace, would you not first make sure it was real gold?

Answer 3

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (1Th 5:21)

It means that you should question everything.

For example: if someone told you that Jesus was Chinese, you would test that statement with the Bible and know that it is not true, so then you throw that statement away as a lie. But if another person said that Jesus was a Jew, you would know that was the truth, and you would keep that piece of information.

1Th 5:21 can be used very effectively with "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them." (Isa 8:20) If the statement (of a religious nature) does not agree completely with the Bible, it is a lie.

Answer 4

"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." = 1Thess.5:21.
"Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord." = Eph.5:10.

You can prove things by scripture, dictionaries, encyclopedias, newspapers, etc. if they agree with the Bible.

For example: Exodus 20:8-11.
Proof = You can look up Sabbath in dictionaries or encyclopedias or on calendars; it will tell you Sabbath is Saturday. Also the Bible tells you in other places what day the Sabbath is (John 4:22-24; Heb.4:1-11; Rev.14:7).

Another example:Rev.13:3 "And I saw one of his heads as it was wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast."
Proof in = Front page of S.F. Chronicle with headline "Heal Wound Of Many Years"; Feb.12,1929.

As you can see; that's how you prove things.
I have a site that does all of that; it proves every little detail.

Answer 5

1Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

What does I Thessalonians 5:21 mean?
How are we supposed to do that?

to understand what a verse says you need to read all of the text (chapter) to place it in the context of what is being taught.

Here the writer tells us that since we are not of the world, but rather of Christ we must test (prove/discern) Evil vs. Truth, we are then to discard the evil things holding to the Truth. Jesus also taught that we are known by our fruit. {see the parable of the Good & evil trees} Jesus told us we are what we say and do. more so what we do, our deeds (fruit) is the true evedience of who we are.

Answer 6

As a joke I would say be a "NO", for a "NO" says NO to all until it is tested in every possible test that can be done which includes the test of time. Thus a "NO" never closes his mind to a concept and does try to learn more every day seeking constantly consistent truth.

Does not first the written words say, "no one is good but God alone". If this be true, then it starts out to say hold on to what is Godly.

A "NO" uses two concepts in his walk:
[1] Believe none of what you hear and only 1/2 of what you see. [2] Accept no less than two witnesses to any stated fact or read fact after applying number [1]. [3] Takes everything to his God and waits for his answer to what to believe and what not to believe.

The only way to do that is to get to know your God so well that you will just know the results of and what kind of tests to apply to everything. To do that don't just read your bible 1 time or 10 times, read it 100 or 200 times cover to cover and you can know.

Answer 7

Times and seasons at the last day, known by children of the light so that Jesus does not come as a thief in the night as he does to those of the world that do not adhere to the teachings and take time to prove all thing. 1Thes.5:1-9,21;

Jesus does have a second coming, then he will reigh 1000 years Rev.20:1-6; It begans with Satan put in the pit to end the world from Eden to the reign of Christ and his world never ends. Eph.3:21;

Answer 8

Everything in the scriptures is there because at some point in our lives, we [will] need it. In the Torah G-d Himself said "you are not to condemn a person on the basis of only one witness; you must have testimony from two or three". In the same way, in order to really trust somethng or someone, you must find it agreeing with at least two places in the scriptures. And don't take "what is good" for granted: hold onto it. Don't let anything or anyone beguile you into compromise. So, analyse what you hear & see in TV, newspapers, conversation, etc...ask "is that true?" and each thing has its appropriate test; for example, the test of a prophet is "does their prophecy come true?" if not, don't trust ANYthing they say.

Answer 9

Isaiah 8:20

Answer 10

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Proving means to "test". You test something by comparing it to what God has said in his word. I'm wondering if you meant to ask about verse 22. If so...

Notice the word "abstain". That means to make a conscious choice not to engage in something. So if you know that something might appear to be a sin, say to someone who is ignorant of the freedom that a Christian has, then you make a choice not to engage in that activity in front of a weak believer.

Paul talked about this when he told people in the church at Corinth not to eat meat sacrificed to an idol in front of another believer who thought that this was a sin. He gives this guideline from the book of Romans.

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. Romans 14:19-22

In other words keep things private that you know are not a sin but other people might construe it as being sinful. Have your faith in your freedom between you and God.

Answer 11

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. ??

Well, I believe Paul is talking to a small group of people in Thessalonia who would have written to him about certain concerns and questions regarding Paul's teachings - and he is answering them. I'm sorry, but Paul is not talking to you.

Usually he is trying to encourage them to not go back under the law and old traditions, since he has taught them of grace and peace. The other apostles were very good at instilling fear into people about the law. Paul did not agree with them at all. (Galations, Acts) Gospel means good news.

Sin and hell fire is not good news. Saved by the grace of Jesus and not your own good works is good news.