KJV: Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
YLT: all things prove; that which is good hold fast;
Darby: but prove all things, hold fast the right;
ASV: prove all things; hold fast that which is good;
| πάντα | All things |
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Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural Root: πᾶς Sense: individually. |
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| δὲ | however |
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Parse: Conjunction Root: δέ Sense: but, moreover, and, etc. |
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| δοκιμάζετε | test |
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Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural Root: δοκιμάζω Sense: to test, examine, prove, scrutinise (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals. |
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| τὸ | To the |
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Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| καλὸν | good |
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Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular Root: καλός Sense: beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable. |
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| κατέχετε | hold fast |
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Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural Root: κατέχω Sense: to hold back, detain, retain. |
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Greek Commentary for 1 Thessalonians 5:21
Probably δε de (but) is genuine. Even the gift of prophecy has to be tested (1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Corinthians 14:29) to avoid error. Paul shows fine balance here. [source]
Keep on holding down the beautiful (noble, morally beautiful). Present imperative κατεχω kaṫechō (perfective use of κατα katȧ here). [source]
A general exhortation, not confined to prophesyings; but Paul elsewhere insists that a test be applied to phenomena which claim to be supernatural. See on discerning of spirits, 1 Corinthians 12:10; see on 1 Corinthians 14:29, and comp. 2 Thessalonians 2:2, and 1 John 4:1-3. For δοκιμάζετε prove, see on 1 Peter 1:7. In lxx, Proverbs 27:21; Psalm 11:6, δοκίμιον is a crucible or furnace. [source]
These words are associated in early Christian writers with an apocryphal saying ascribed to Jesus, and very frequently quoted, γίνεσθε δὲ δόκιμοι τραπεζῖται showyourselves approved money-changers. By some ancient writers the two are cited together as Paul's; by others they are distinguished, as by Origen, who cites the saying as an injunction ( ἐντολὴν ) of Jesus, and adds, “and also (observing) the teaching of Paul, who says, 'prove all things, hold fast the good, abstain from every form of evil.'” The saying about the money-changers is probably a genuine logion of the Lord. Some have thought that the words added by Clement of Alexandria, “rejecting some things but holding fast the good,” formed part of the Lord's saying, and that, accordingly, Paul's words here depend on an original utterance of Jesus. If this could be proved, εἶδος form 1 Thessalonians 5:22, might be explained as a figure of exchangers distinguishing between genuine and false coins. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Thessalonians 5:21
The contrast is twofold: between having and not having, and between temporary and permanent having, or having and keeping. Compare Luke 8:15; 1 Corinthians 15:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; Hebrews 3:6. [source]
In Class. of assaying metals Comp. lxx, Proverbs 8:10; Proverbs 17:3; 1Corinthians href="/desk/?q=1co+3:13&sr=1">1 Corinthians 3:13; 1 Peter 1:7. It is the classical verb for testing money; see Plato, Tim. 65 C. Δοκιμάζειν and πυροῦσθαι toburn or try by fire occur together, Jeremiah 9:7; Psalm 11:6; Psalm 65:10. Generally, to prove or examine, as 1 Corinthians 11:28; 1 Thessalonians 5:21. To accept that which is approved, 1 Corinthians 16:3; 2 Corinthians 8:22; 1 Thessalonians 2:4. [source]
The verb is used in N.T. as here, 1 Thessalonians 5:21; Philemon 1:13; of restraining or preventing, Luke 4:42; of holding back or holding down with an evil purpose, Romans 1:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; of holding one's course toward, bearing down for, Acts 27:40. [source]