What does 1 Thessalonians 5:20 teach about valuing spiritual gifts in the church? Setting the Verse in Context - 1 Thessalonians 5:19–22 closes Paul’s letter with rapid-fire commands for congregational life. - Verse 20 stands out: “Do not treat prophecies with contempt”. - In the original Greek, the imperative is strong and personal—literally, “Stop despising prophecies.” What “Prophecies” Means Here - Not merely foretelling the future. The word covers any Spirit-given message that builds up, encourages, or comforts the church (1 Corinthians 14:3). - Prophecy is listed among the Spirit’s gifts (1 Corinthians 12:10; Romans 12:6). - Because the canon of Scripture is complete, modern prophetic ministry must be weighed carefully (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and measured by the written Word (Acts 17:11; Isaiah 8:20). Why Paul Warns Against Contempt - Prophecy can feel uncomfortable—corrective words expose sin (2 Samuel 12:7). - False prophecies had circulated (2 Thessalonians 2:2), tempting believers to reject the genuine gift altogether. - Human nature often prefers “smooth words” (Isaiah 30:10) over Spirit-prompted truth. Positive Ways to Honor Prophetic Ministry • Receive with openness: “Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19). Stifling prophetic speech cuts off a vital channel of grace. • Test everything: “but test all things; hold fast to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Use Scripture as the plumb line (2 Timothy 3:16–17). • Recognize variety: God distributes gifts as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:11). Prophecy complements teaching, serving, mercy, and leadership. • Pursue edification: Paul urges, “Since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in edifying the church” (1 Corinthians 14:12). • Maintain order: “Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge” (1 Corinthians 14:29). Discernment and accountability protect purity. Practical Outcomes for a Local Church - Cultivates an atmosphere where the Holy Spirit’s voice is welcomed, not feared. - Balances charismatic zeal with doctrinal sobriety. - Strengthens unity: when prophetic words are judged collectively, the body grows together (Ephesians 4:16). - Guards against deception by filtering every claimed revelation through Scripture. Takeaway 1 Thessalonians 5:20 commands believers to esteem Spirit-inspired speech, neither dismissing it nor swallowing it uncritically. Valuing prophecy—and by extension all spiritual gifts—means embracing both openness and discernment so that Christ’s church is built up in truth and love. |
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