What is the meaning of 1 Thessalonians 5:22? Abstain – A decisive command Paul’s word “Abstain” calls for a clear, active refusal. It is the same urgency found when Joseph fled from Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:12) and when Timothy is told, “Flee from youthful passions” (2 Timothy 2:22). The command is not passive; it expects believers to: • Identify what is wrong—testing everything as Paul has just said in 1 Thessalonians 5:21. • Turn away immediately—mirroring Proverbs 4:15, “Avoid it; do not travel on it; turn from it and pass on.” • Keep distance—echoing Psalm 1:1, which blesses the one who “does not walk in the counsel of the wicked.” From every form – No exceptions “Every form” widens the scope beyond obvious wickedness. It includes: • Overt actions (Galatians 5:19–21 lists deeds of the flesh). • Subtle compromises such as coarse joking (Ephesians 5:4) or greed (Colossians 3:5). • Even appearances that might mislead others (Romans 14:16 warns, “Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil”). The point is comprehensive separation, like the call in 2 Corinthians 7:1 to “purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit.” Of evil – Defining the enemy “Evil” is anything opposed to God’s holy character. Scripture pictures it as: • Darkness set against light (Ephesians 5:8–11). • A corrupting influence (1 Corinthians 15:33, “Bad company corrupts good character”). • A path leading to death (James 1:15). Resisting evil means hating it (Romans 12:9) while clinging to what is good, relying on God’s power and the armor He supplies (Ephesians 6:10–18). summary 1 Thessalonians 5:22, “Abstain from every form of evil”, is a concise call to decisive, comprehensive, and continual separation from anything contrary to God. Believers actively turn away, allowing no exceptions, because evil—whether blatant or subtle—undermines holiness and fellowship with the Lord. |
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