1 Thessalonians 5:22 kjv
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 nkjv
Abstain from every form of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 niv
reject every kind of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 esv
Abstain from every form of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 nlt
Stay away from every kind of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Thess 5:22 | Abstain from every form of evil. | Command for purity |
| 1 Peter 2:11 | Abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. | Call to abstain from sin |
| Romans 12:9 | Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. | Loving what is good, hating evil |
| Philippians 4:8 | Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise—think about these things. | Focus on the good |
| James 4:7 | Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. | Resisting evil's influence |
| Ephesians 5:11 | Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. | Separation from darkness |
| Colossians 3:5 | Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. | Mortifying sinful desires |
| Hebrews 12:14 | Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. | Pursuing holiness |
| 2 Timothy 2:22 | Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. | Fleeing and pursuing |
| Proverbs 8:13 | The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. | Fear of the Lord and hatred of evil |
| Romans 6:12 | Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. | Not letting sin reign |
| 1 Corinthians 10:23 | "I have the right to do anything," you say—but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"—but not everything is constructive. | Discerning what is beneficial |
| Romans 1:29-32 | ...filled with every kind of wickedness, evil and greed and malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and maliciousness...They know God’s righteous decree that those who do these things deserve death, yet they are not only the same but they also approve of those who practice them. | Examples of evil deeds |
| Proverbs 22:3 | The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. | Prudence in avoiding danger |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:21 | But everything must be done in a way that pleases God. | Alignment with God's pleasure |
| Ephesians 4:30 | And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. | Sensitivity to the Spirit |
| 2 Corinthians 6:17 | "Therefore come out from among them and be separate," says the Lord. "Touch no unclean thing, and I will welcome you." | Divine call for separation |
| Titus 2:11-12 | For the grace of God has appeared that offers the salvation of all people. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. | Grace teaching to say no |
| Galatians 5:16 | So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. | Walking by the Spirit |
| 1 John 5:18 | We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot touch him. | Being born of God |
1 Thessalonians 5 verses
1 Thessalonians 5 22 Meaning
This verse is a strong exhortation for believers to abstain from every form of evil. It emphasizes a proactive stance against anything that is contrary to God's will and nature. The imperative "abstain" indicates a deliberate choice to keep away from or avoid. The phrase "every form of evil" suggests a comprehensive and discerning approach, covering not just gross sins but also subtle manifestations of wrongdoing. It calls for a life marked by purity and adherence to divine principles.
1 Thessalonians 5 22 Context
First Thessalonians 5 is part of a larger discussion on the return of Christ and the spiritual state of believers. Chapters 4 and 5 offer instructions on holy living, encouraging the Thessalonian church amidst persecution and uncertainty. Verse 22 directly follows advice given in verse 21 to "test everything" and "hold on to what is good." This sequence suggests that testing leads to discerning what is truly good and subsequently abstaining from its opposite, which is evil. The letter addresses issues like sanctification, vigilance, and mutual encouragement, all within the framework of living a life pleasing to God in anticipation of Christ's coming. Historically, the early church faced various spiritual influences and societal pressures, making such ethical guidance essential for maintaining purity and witness.
1 Thessalonians 5 22 Word Analysis
- Ektous (ἐκτοὺς) - This is the singular accusative masculine form of the adjective ektos. Its basic meaning is "outside," "except," or "besides." In this context, it's used with a verb of abstaining, suggesting a thorough separation, going outside of and beyond certain things, implying a complete avoidance.
- Pases (πάσης) - The feminine genitive singular form of pas, meaning "all" or "every." It emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the abstinence, leaving no form of evil untouched.
- Eidos (εἴδους) - The genitive neuter singular form of eidos, meaning "form," "kind," "appearance," or "shape." When coupled with "evil" (kakou), it denotes every category, type, or manifestation of that which is morally wrong or harmful.
- Ton (τὸν) - The masculine accusative singular definite article, specifying "evil."
- Kakou (κακοῦ) - The genitive neuter singular form of kakos, meaning "evil," "bad," "wicked," or "harmful."
Words Group Analysis:
- Apantō (ἀποτν) - This verb (imperative, 2nd person plural) means "to turn away from," "to abstain from," "to shun," or "to avoid." It's a strong command for separation.
- Pasa eidos tou kakou (πᾶσα εἶδος τοῦ κακοῦ) - This phrase translates to "every form of evil." Pas (all/every) combined with eidos (form/kind) and kakou (evil) creates a sweeping directive. It is not limited to particular known sins but calls for a discernment of any appearance or type of that which is contrary to God's character and will. This encompasses outward actions as well as inward dispositions and subtle influences. The instruction implies a need for wisdom and spiritual sensitivity to identify what constitutes "evil" in any given context.
1 Thessalonians 5 22 Bonus Section
This verse is intimately connected to the preceding verse (5:21), "Test everything; hold fast to what is good." The command to abstain from evil logically follows the imperative to examine and retain what is good. It signifies that genuine discernment leads to active rejection of the negative. Furthermore, the term eidos (form) suggests that believers should be wary of things that look evil or carry the appearance of evil, even if they aren't overtly sinful, to avoid even the semblance of wrongdoing. This thoroughness is vital for living a life that reflects God’s holiness. It encourages a proactive and principled life, rather than a reactive one, cultivating a conscience sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5 22 Commentary
The call to "abstain from every form of evil" is a vital command for Christian conduct. It’s not just about avoiding notorious sins, but also about a discerning lifestyle that shuns anything that might compromise one's integrity or relationship with God. This involves careful consideration of one's thoughts, associations, entertainment, and habits. It requires reliance on the Holy Spirit to recognize and reject subtle temptations. This abstention is rooted in love for God and a desire to please Him in all things, echoing the broader theme of living a life transformed by grace. Practical application might include choosing uplifting content over degrading media, fostering wholesome relationships, and avoiding discussions or activities that lead to moral compromise.