1 Thessalonians 5:22

5:22 wickedness. (b-7) The distinction between the expressions 'the right' and the word translated 'wickedness' (lit. 'evil') without an article is profoundly beautiful. The latter is looked at as a general thing, a genus, and has kinds or species. They were to hold fast ' the right,' the thing in itself. But we cannot speak of evil in itself as an abstract existence. Its most absolute form is Satan (as 'the wicked one,' see Matthew 13:19 ), though we may practically speak of 'evil,' but I cannot say 'evilness' as I can 'goodness.' I must suppose an existence of what is good to have an idea of evil. But if I say ' wickedness,' I think of an act or of evil will in someone, malice, and this gives the sense here.