Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Thessalonians 5:20

"despise not prophesyings;" — 1 Thessalonians 5:20 (ASV)

Paul’s next prohibition, “Do not treat prophecies with contempt,” suggests that the Christians at Thessalonica, like those at Corinth (1 Corinthians 14:1), had underrated the gift of prophecy. This involved utterances of those who in their prophetic office proclaimed the will and command of God as well as predicted the future (Acts 11:28). Benefits from these utterances could build up a local church (1 Corinthians 14:3).

Apparently, however, certain “idle” brothers (v.14; cf. 4:11–12) had misused this gift by falsifying data regarding the Lord’s return. This had soured the remainder of the flock against prophecy in general. Their tendency now was not to listen to any more prophetic messages, but to discount them in view of counterfeit utterances they had heard. Once again Paul warns against overreaction and urges the church to give prophecies their proper place in edifying its members (cf. v.11).