1 Thessalonians 5:20 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

Despise not prophesyings. — The highest outward or charismatic manifestation of this inward fire was the gift of “prophecy” (1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Corinthians 14:1; 1 Corinthians 14:5; 1 Corinthians 14:39), which was an inspired and inspiring preaching, The despondency of the Thessalonians led them not only to quench the fervour of the Holy Ghost in their own bosoms, but to turn a cold and disparaging ear to the sanguine “prophets” who preached to them, the effect of which insensibility was to “quench the Spirit” by degrees in the prophets also. It is because of this double effect of gloominess, inward upon themselves, and outward upon others, that the command, “Quench not,” occurs between the exhortation to thanksgiving and the warning not to despise prophecy. This seems to be the most natural way of accounting for the present warning, but there are two other main interpretations: — (1) It is said that what tempted the Thessalonians to disparage prophecy was their fascination for the more showy gift of tongues. It is true that such was the case at Corinth, and not unnaturally so; and at first sight it seems as if, in 1 Corinthians 14:1, “spiritual gifts” were contrasted with “prophecy” as two separate classes, thus giving some ground for Bishop Words-worth’s interpretation of our present passage — viz., that 1 Thessalonians 5:19 refers to the gifts of tongues, miracles, &c., in something of the same contrast with “prophecy” in 1 Thessalonians 5:20 as may be found in 1 Corinthians 14:39. But, on the other hand, it seems more likely that in 1 Corinthians 14:1 prophecy is not contrasted with the spiritual gifts there specified as a separate class, but selected from among them: “It is all very well to covet spiritual gifts as a whole, but it would be better to aim more particularly at that one — prophecy — which is the greatest:” just so here, “Do not quench the Spirit, in whatever direction it may blaze up; but especially do not disparage preaching.” Besides, there is nothing to prove that the Thessalonians were dazzled by the more brilliant gifts: and it accords better with the context to suppose that the fault to be corrected in them was not a light sensationalism, but a tendency to damp all ardour alike. (2) Others suppose that the Thessalonians had had experience of persons who had abused the gift of prophecy, and therefore were disposed to suspect and dislike prophecy altogether. This view gains support from 2 Thessalonians 2:2, and also from the command in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 to test, and retain only what stood the test. There is no particular ground for contradicting this view; but it is unnecessary, and does not carry on the thought so connectedly.