Bible Strands
1 Thessalonians 5:20
Do not treat prophecies with contempt,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Thessalonian church while concluding his letter with practical instructions for communal life. He places this command between the warning not to extinguish the Spirit and the directive to test all things.
The words — The Greek ἐξουθενεῖτε (exoutheneite) and προφητείας (prophēteias) literally mean "do despise" and "prophecies," bound by the negative μὴ (mē). The syntax forms an absolute prohibition against rejecting prophetic utterances.
The thread — This directive runs parallel to 1 Corinthians 14:1, which urges believers to eagerly desire the gift of prophecy, and 1 Corinthians 14:3, which states that prophecy speaks for edification, encouragement, and comfort. It also reflects the pattern in Numbers 11:25, where God extends the Spirit from Moses to others for prophetic speech.
Why it lands — The text commands immediate reception of prophetic messages rather than dismissal or contempt. It requires readers to value these utterances while simultaneously applying discernment to verify their alignment with what is good.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Despise not prophesyings.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 14:3 But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.
- 1 Corinthians 14:1 Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
- Numbers 11:25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and He took some of the Spirit that was on Moses and placed that Spirit on the seventy elders. As the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but they never did so again.
- 1 Corinthians 11:4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.
- 1 Corinthians 14:37 If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.
- 1 Corinthians 14:22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.
- Acts 19:6 And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
- 1 Corinthians 12:28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.
- 1 Corinthians 14:29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
- Ephesians 4:11 And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,