Stay away from every kind of evil.
Parallel translations
- WEB Abstain from every form of evil.
- KJV Abstain from all appearance of evil.
- BSB Abstain from every form of evil.
- NKJV Abstain from every form of evil.
- NASB abstain from every form of evil.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Having tested all things, believers are to keep away from every kind of evil.
Overview
This completes the thought of verse 21: hold fast to the good, but reject evil in all its forms. "Every form" calls for thorough, comprehensive avoidance of sin, not merely the obvious kinds. Such holiness flows from belonging to Christ and anticipates the prayer for sanctification that immediately follows.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- 2 Cor 6:3We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our service may not be blamed,
- Phil 4:8Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.
- 2 Cor 8:20–21We are avoiding this, that any man should blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us.
- 1 Cor 10:31–33Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
- Rom 12:17Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.
- Exod 23:7“Keep far from a false charge, and don’t kill the innocent and righteous: for I will not justify the wicked.
- 1 Cor 8:13Therefore if food causes my brother to stumble, I will eat no meat forever more, that I don’t cause my brother to stumble.
- Jude 1:23and some save, snatching them out of the fire with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.
- 1 Th 4:12that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.
- Isa 33:15He who walks righteously, and speaks blamelessly; He who despises the gain of oppressions, who gestures with his hands, refusing to take a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of blood, and shuts his eyes from looking at evil —
- Matt 17:26–27Peter said to him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Therefore the children are exempt.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
The believer waits for God's Son from heaven, Jesus who delivers from the wrath to come and who will return to gather his people to himself.
How 1 Thessalonians 5:22 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.