Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Thessalonians 5:19

"Quench not the Spirit;" — 1 Thessalonians 5:19 (ASV)

Quench not the Spirit.—The mention of prayer and thanksgiving (eucharistia), by which public as well as private worship is intended, leads Paul to mention other parts of the service. The gloom and depression, for which an antidote is provided in 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, had been so severe as to almost extinguish that fire of enthusiasm which should have burst forth in prayers, praises, thanksgivings, and “prophecies.”

The “Spirit” here should not be understood too strictly as the Person of the Holy Ghost. The Person of the Holy Ghost may be grieved (Ephesians 4:30), expelled (Psalms 51:11), or neglected (1 Timothy 4:14), but (though His working on the individual may be stopped) He can never be extinguished. The word here again (as in 1 Thessalonians 1:5) is used in that intermediate sense which expresses the effect of the Holy Ghost’s personal working upon our spirits.

He kindles in us a fire (Matthew 3:11)—that is, a consuming ardour and enthusiasm of love to God and man. This ardour may be dampened or quenched by not giving it free expression. Gloom (1 Thessalonians 5:16), neglect of prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17)—which is the very feeding of the flame—and discontentment with the answer God chooses to give to prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:18), will ultimately reduce us to the condition in which we were before we were confirmed (Romans 8:9).

Compare Ecce Homo, p. 257 (3rd ed.): “The Apostles similarly became aware that their inspiration was subject to interruptions. They regard it as possible to grieve the Divinity who resided within them, and even to quench His influence. But neither they nor Christ even for a moment suppose that, if He were to depart, it is possible to do without Him... Christianity is an enthusiasm, or it is nothing.”