Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Thessalonians 5:22

"abstain from every form of evil." — 1 Thessalonians 5:22 (ASV)

Allowance must also be made for professed spiritual manifestations that do not contribute but rather detract from the development of the local body. Paul designates this category by “every kind of evil.” That is, spiritual gifts could be of an “evil” (GK 4505) variety, falsely attributed to the Holy Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:9– 10). Paul clearly intends here an antithesis with v.21: “Hold on to” (GK 2988; v.21) what the Spirit reveals as good, but “avoid” (lit., “hold yourselves free from”; GK 600) every kind of evil that tries to parade as a genuine representation of the Spirit. Only then can the body of Christ achieve maximum benefit in local worship.