1 Thessalonians 5:20

Text (1 Thessalonians 5:20)

20 despise not prophesyings;

Translation and Paraphrase

20.

Do not treat with contempt (the) prophesyings (which your) teachings may give through divine inspiration).

Notes (1 Thessalonians 5:20)

1.

This negative command, Despise not prophesyings, is equivalent to an emphatic positive: Don-'t despise prophesyings; rather delight in them.

2.

This verse is closely related to the verse preceding it, Quench not the Spirit. Both refer to restraining the work of the Spirit as He sought to do miraculous things.

3.

The office of the prophet and prophesying was very important in the early church. God's revelation was made known unto the apostles and prophets by the Spirit. Ephesians 3:5. The church was built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Ephesians 2:20. The prophets were second in the church only to the apostles. 1 Corinthians 12:28. Prophesying was greater than speaking in tongues or any other spiritual gift. 1 Corinthians 14:1-5. Paul told the Corinthians to, Covet to prophesy, 1 Corinthians 14:39.

4.

Therefore, to despise and treat with contempt the utterances of their inspired teachers was a serious wrong.

5.

Silvanus himself, who joined with Paul in sending this letter, was a prophet, Acts 15:32; 1 Thessalonians 1:1.

6.

How does this verse apply to twentieth century Christians?

If we interpret the word prophesyings to refer merely to the preaching of the gospel and to teaching believers to observe whatsoever Christ has commanded us, then certainly people need to be warned to Despise not prophesyings. For there is ageneral disregard for God's word and the instruction of the Scriptures in our time.

7.

However, we cannot honestly nor accurately say that the word prophesyings (Gr., propheteia) means simply preaching. This word is found nineteen times in the New Testament, and in every reference it indicates speaking by supernatural revelation or help. See 2 Peter 1:20-21 and Revelation 1:3 for examples.

The same thing is true of the related verb, propheteuo, which means to prophesy. It is found twenty-eight times in the New Testament, and in every reference where it occurs, it has a plain or implied reference to supernatural assistance in speaking. Notice Luke 1:67; Acts 2:17; Acts 19:6; etc.

8.

The question then arises, Are such supernaturally inspired -prophesyings-' still to be found in the churches?

We think not. Paul plainly predicted that when that which is perfect is come, such partial things as prophecies would fail. 1 Corinthians 13:8-10. Zechariah the prophet prophesied that in the day that a fountain for sin and uncleanness was opened that the prophet would pass out of the land. Zechariah 13:1-3.

9.

Both the predictions of Paul and of Zechariah appear to us to have been fulfilled.

We now have a perfect salvation and a perfect revelation of the will of God given to us in the New Testament. Therefore, surely that which is perfect (not he who is perfect) has already come, and prophecies should have failed and tongues ceased in the churches long ago.

Concerning Zechariah's prophecy we notice that

(1)

The blood of Jesus has long ago been shed, and a fountain thereby opened to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.

(2)

The prophets and the unclean spirit were to pass out of the land in that day (or time).

In view of these two Scriptures, we feel that the office of the prophet as it existed in the times of the apostles has ceased in the churches of God.

10.

Therefore, the only way that we in our times could despise not prophesyings would be to despise the messages of God's prophets and apostles that have been preserved for us in the Holy Scriptures, This we should NOT do, John the apostle cautions us in Revelation 22:18-19 :

I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

With this warning reverberating in our minds, we should take heed to despise not prophesyings.