1 Thessalonians Chapter 5 · Verse 20
Despise not prophesyings.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
1 Corinthians 14:1Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.1 Corinthians 11:4Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.Acts 19:6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.1 Corinthians 12:28And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.1 Corinthians 12:10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:1 Corinthians 13:2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.1 Corinthians 13:9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
Historical Context
Early church prophecy was common (Acts 11:27-28; 13:1; 21:9-11; 1 Cor 14:29-33). Prophets spoke spontaneous Spirit-inspired messages during worship, providing guidance, warning, encouragement. Some apparently despised these utterances as disorderly or inferior to teaching. Paul defends prophecy's value (1 Cor 14:1: 'desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy') while regulating practice (1 Cor 14:29-33). Later church history saw decline in prophetic ministry, with institutionalization prioritizing hierarchical teaching over charismatic utterance. Pentecostal/charismatic renewal recovered prophetic emphasis, though imbalanced practices sometimes vindicated earlier suspicions.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you avoid despising prophetic utterances while maintaining biblical discernment to test them?
- What role should prophecy (Spirit-inspired messages for edification, exhortation, comfort) play in contemporary church life?
- How do you distinguish between legitimate concern for order and 'despising prophecy' through suppression of charismatic gifts?
Analysis & Commentary
Despise not prophesyings—prophēteias mē exoutheneite (προφητείας μὴ ἐξουθενεῖτε, 'prophecies do not despise'). Exoutheneō (ἐξουθενέω, 'to despise, treat with contempt, make of no account') indicates active rejection. Prophēteia (προφητεία) in NT means both foretelling (predicting future) and forthtelling (declaring God's message). Paul emphasizes the latter: prophecy is Spirit-inspired utterance for 'edification, and exhortation, and comfort' (1 Cor 14:3). Believers shouldn't despise prophetic ministry by
Why would believers despise prophecy? Possible reasons: (1) false prophets caused suspicion of all prophecy, (2) rationalistic mindset rejects supernatural communication, (3) concern for order suppresses spontaneous utterances, (4) clerical hierarchy restricts prophetic ministry to ordained leaders.
Paul forbids despising prophecy while commanding testing (v. 21)—both/and, not either/or. Don't reject prophecy wholesale (quenching the Spirit) but don't accept uncritically (abandoning discernment). Test prophecies; retain good; reject evil (vv. 21-22).