Early Church Fathers Scripture Index : Texts

1 Thessalonians 5:21

There are 17 footnotes for this reference.

Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 2, page 312, footnote 13 (Image)

Hermas, Tatian, Athenagoras, Theophilus, Clement of Alexandria

Clement of Alexandria (HTML)

The Stromata, or Miscellanies (HTML)

Book I (HTML)
Chapter XI.—What is the Philosophy Which the Apostle Bids Us Shun? (HTML)
CCEL Footnote 1935 (In-Text, Margin)

... not of promise, receiving what belongs to him by free gift. “But strong meat belongeth to those that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness; for he is a babe,” and not yet acquainted with the word, according to which he has believed and works, and not able to give a reason in himself. “Prove all things,” the apostle says, “and hold fast that which is good,”[1 Thessalonians 5:21] speaking to spiritual men, who judge what is said according to truth, whether it seems or truly holds by the truth. “He who is not corrected by discipline errs, and stripes and reproofs give the discipline of wisdom,” the reproofs manifestly that ...

Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3, page 245, footnote 8 (Image)

Tertullian (I, II, III)

Anti-Marcion. (HTML)

The Prescription Against Heretics. (HTML)

Warnings Against Heresy Given Us in the New Testament. Sundry Passages Adduced. These Imply the Possibility of Falling into Heresy. (HTML)
CCEL Footnote 1890 (In-Text, Margin)

... only apostates. And therefore “heresies must needs be in order that they which are approved might be made manifest,” both those who remained stedfast under persecution, and those who did not wander out of their way into heresy. For the apostle does not mean that those persons should be deemed approved who exchange their creed for heresy; although they contrariously interpret his words to their own side, when he says in another passage, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good;”[1 Thessalonians 5:21] as if, after proving all things amiss, one might not through error make a determined choice of some evil thing.

Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 4, page 37, footnote 1 (Image)

Tertullian (IV), Minucius Felix, Commodian, Origen

Tertullian: Part Fourth. (HTML)

On the Veiling of Virgins. (HTML)

Tertullian, Having Shown His Defence to Be Consistent with Scripture, Nature, and Discipline, Appeals to the Virgins Themselves. (HTML)
CCEL Footnote 330 (In-Text, Margin)

... Nature’s testimony Scripture cannot be uncertain. If there is a doubt about Nature, Discipline points out what is more sanctioned by God. For noth ing is to Him dearer than humility; nothing more acceptable than modesty; nothing more offensive than “glory” and the study of men-pleasing. Let that, accordingly, be to you Scripture, and Nature, and Discipline, which you shall find to have been sanctioned by God; just as you are bidden to “examine all things, and diligently follow whatever is better.”[1 Thessalonians 5:21]

Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 6, page 103, footnote 1 (Image)

Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius the Great, Julius Africanus, Anatolius and Minor Writers, Methodius, Arnobius

Dionysius. (HTML)

Extant Fragments. (HTML)

Containing Epistles, or Fragments of Epistles. (HTML)
To Philemon, a Presbyter. (HTML)
CCEL Footnote 844 (In-Text, Margin)

... myself perceived, I was strengthened by a vision that was sent me from God. And a word spoken to me, expressly commanded me, saying, Read everything which shall come into thy hands, for thou art fit to do so, who correctest and provest each one; and from them to thee first of all has appeared the cause and the occasion of believing. I received this vision as being what was in accordance with the apostolic word, which thus urges all who are endowed with greater virtue, “Be ye skilful money-changers.”[1 Thessalonians 5:21]

Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 1, Volume 5, page 137, footnote 2 (Image)

Augustine: Anti-Pelagian Writings

A Treatise on Nature and Grace. (HTML)

Shall We Follow Scripture, or Add to Its Declarations? (HTML)

CCEL Footnote 1241 (In-Text, Margin)

It is, to be sure, a grand sentence with which he concluded this passage, when he says: “What we read, therefore, let us believe; and what we do not read, let us deem it wicked to add; and let it suffice to have said this of all cases.” On the contrary, I for my part say that we ought not to believe even everything that we read, on the sanction of the apostle’s advice: “Read all things; hold fast that which is good.”[1 Thessalonians 5:21] Nor is it wicked to add something which we have not read; for it is in our power to add something which we have bona fide experienced as witnesses, even if it so happens that we have not read about it. Perhaps he will say in reply: “When I ...

Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 2, Volume 1, page 296, footnote 2 (Image)

Eusebius: Church History from A.D. 1-324, Life of Constantine the Great, Oration in Praise of Constantine

The Church History of Eusebius. (HTML)

Book VII (HTML)

The Abominable Error of the Heretics; the Divine Vision of Dionysius; and the Ecclesiastical Canon which he received. (HTML)
CCEL Footnote 2188 (In-Text, Margin)

3. And the word which came to me commanded me, saying distinctly, ‘Read everything which thou canst take in hand, for thou art able to correct and prove all; and this has been to thee from the beginning the cause of thy faith.’ I received the vision as agreeing with the apostolic word, which says to them that are stronger, ‘Be skillful money-changers.’”[1 Thessalonians 5:21-22]

Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 2, Volume 1, page 296, footnote 2 (Image)

Eusebius: Church History from A.D. 1-324, Life of Constantine the Great, Oration in Praise of Constantine

The Church History of Eusebius. (HTML)

Book VII (HTML)

The Abominable Error of the Heretics; the Divine Vision of Dionysius; and the Ecclesiastical Canon which he received. (HTML)
CCEL Footnote 2188 (In-Text, Margin)

3. And the word which came to me commanded me, saying distinctly, ‘Read everything which thou canst take in hand, for thou art able to correct and prove all; and this has been to thee from the beginning the cause of thy faith.’ I received the vision as agreeing with the apostolic word, which says to them that are stronger, ‘Be skillful money-changers.’”[1 Thessalonians 5:21-22]

Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 2, Volume 1, page 296, footnote 2 (Image)

Eusebius: Church History from A.D. 1-324, Life of Constantine the Great, Oration in Praise of Constantine

The Church History of Eusebius. (HTML)

Book VII (HTML)

The Abominable Error of the Heretics; the Divine Vision of Dionysius; and the Ecclesiastical Canon which he received. (HTML)
CCEL Footnote 2188 (In-Text, Margin)

3. And the word which came to me commanded me, saying distinctly, ‘Read everything which thou canst take in hand, for thou art able to correct and prove all; and this has been to thee from the beginning the cause of thy faith.’ I received the vision as agreeing with the apostolic word, which says to them that are stronger, ‘Be skillful money-changers.’”[1 Thessalonians 5:21-22]

Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 2, Volume 2, page 87, footnote 5 (Image)

Socrates: Church History from A.D. 305-438; Sozomenus: Church History from A.D. 323-425

The Ecclesiastical History of Socrates Scholasticus. (HTML)

Book III (HTML)

Of the Literary Labors of the Two Apollinares and the Emperor's Prohibition of Christians being instructed in Greek Literature. (HTML)
CCEL Footnote 528 (In-Text, Margin)

... literature, for he knew very well that the fables it contains would expose the whole pagan system, of which he had become the champion to ridicule and contempt. Even Socrates, the most celebrated of their philosophers, despised these absurdities, and was condemned on account of it, as if he had attempted to violate the sanctity of their deities. Moreover, both Christ and his Apostle enjoin us ‘to become discriminating money-changers,’ so that we might ‘prove all things, and hold fast that which is good’:[1 Thessalonians 5:21] directing us also to ‘beware lest any one should spoil us through philosophy and vain deceit.’ But this we cannot do, unless we possess ourselves of the weapons of our adversaries: taking care that in making this acquisition we do not adopt their ...

Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 2, Volume 3, page 421, footnote 1 (Image)

Theodoret, Jerome and Gennadius, Rufinus and Jerome

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus. (HTML)

Translation of Pamphilus' Defence of Origen. (HTML)

CCEL Footnote 2786 (In-Text, Margin)

... and spiritual body. For so the Scripture speaks. This is what is preached by the reverend Bishop John at Jerusalem; this we with him both confess and hold. If any one either believes or teaches otherwise, or insinuates that we believe differently from the exposition of our faith, let him be anathema. Let this then be taken as a record of our belief by any who desire to know it. Whatever we read and whatever we do is in accordance with this account of our faith; we follow the words of the Apostle,[1 Thessalonians 5:21-22] “proving all things, holding fast that which is good, avoiding every form of evil.” “And as many as walk by this rule, peace be upon them and upon the Israel of God.”

Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 2, Volume 3, page 440, footnote 4 (Image)

Theodoret, Jerome and Gennadius, Rufinus and Jerome

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus. (HTML)

The Apology of Rufinus. Addressed to Apronianus, in Reply to Jerome's Letter to Pammachius. (HTML)

Book I (HTML)
Pamphilus Apology for Origen. (HTML)
CCEL Footnote 2843 (In-Text, Margin)

If then any one wishes to have a statement of our faith, he has it in these words. And whatever we read or affirm, or whatever translations we make, we do it without prejudice to this faith of ours, according to the words of the apostle:[1 Thessalonians 5:21-22] “Prove all things, hold fast that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” “And as many as follow this rule, peace be upon them; and upon the Israel of God.”

Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 2, Volume 6, page 131, footnote 3 (Image)

Jerome: Letters and Select Works

The Letters of St. Jerome. (HTML)

To Vigilantius. (HTML)

CCEL Footnote 1900 (In-Text, Margin)

... I by no means say that everything contained in such books is to be condemned, but I admit that there are things in them deserving of censure. Still, as it is my task and study by reading many authors to cull different flowers from as large a number as possible, not so much making it an object to prove all things as to choose what are good. I take up many writers that from the many I may learn many things; according to that which is written “reading all things, holding fast those that are good.”[1 Thessalonians 5:21] Hence I am much surprised that you have tried to fasten upon me the doctrines of Origen, of whose mistaken teaching on many points you are up to the present altogether unaware. Am I a heretic? Why pray then do heretics dislike me so? And are you ...

Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 2, Volume 6, page 133, footnote 5 (Image)

Jerome: Letters and Select Works

The Letters of St. Jerome. (HTML)

To Tranquillinus. (HTML)

CCEL Footnote 1910 (In-Text, Margin)

... advisability of reading Origen’s works. Are we, you say, to reject him altogether with our brother Faustinus, or are we, as others tell us, to read him in part? My opinion is that we should sometimes read him for his learning just as we read Tertullian, Novatus, Arnobius, Apollinarius and some other church writers both Greek and Latin, and that we should select what is good and avoid what is bad in their writings according to the words of the Apostle, “Prove all things: hold fast that which is good.”[1 Thessalonians 5:21] Those, however, who are led by some perversity in their dispositions to conceive for him too much fondness or too much aversion seem to me to lie under the curse of the Prophet:—“Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil; that put bitter for ...

Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 2, Volume 6, page 178, footnote 9 (Image)

Jerome: Letters and Select Works

The Letters of St. Jerome. (HTML)

To Pammachius and Oceanus. (HTML)

CCEL Footnote 2581 (In-Text, Margin)

7. But it will be said, “If you knew these things, why did you praise him in your works?” I should praise him today but that you and men like you praise his errors. I should still find his talent attractive, but that some people have been attracted by his impiety. “Read all things,” says the apostle, “hold fast that which is good.”[1 Thessalonians 5:21] Lactantius in his books and particularly in his letters to Demetrian altogether denies the subsistence of the Holy Spirit, and following the error of the Jews says that the passages in which he is spoken of refer to the Father or to the Son and that the words ‘holy spirit’ merely prove the holiness of these two persons in the ...

Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 2, Volume 7, page 43, footnote 9 (Image)

Cyril of Jerusalem, Gregory Nazianzen

The Catechetical Lectures of S. Cyril. (HTML)

Concerning the Unity of God.  On the Article, I Believe in One God.  Also Concerning Heresies. (HTML)

CCEL Footnote 958 (In-Text, Margin)

36. Make thou thy fold with the sheep: flee from the wolves: depart not from the Church. Hate those also who have ever been suspected in such matters: and unless in time thou perceive their repentance, do not rashly trust thyself among them. The truth of the Unity of God has been delivered to thee: learn to distinguish the pastures of doctrine. Be an approved banker, holding fast that which is good, abstaining from every form of evil[1 Thessalonians 5:21-22]. Or if thou hast ever been such as they, recognise and hate thy delusion. For there is a way of salvation, if thou reject the vomit, if thou from thy heart detest it, if thou depart from them, not with thy lips only, but with thy soul also: if thou worship the Father of ...

Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 2, Volume 8, page 145, footnote 2 (Image)

Basil: Letters and Select Works

The Letters. (HTML)

To Chilo, his disciple. (HTML)

CCEL Footnote 2075 (In-Text, Margin)

... work. Never neglect reading, especially of the New Testament, because very frequently mischief comes of reading the Old; not because what is written is harmful, but because the minds of the injured are weak. All bread is nutritious, but it may be injurious to the sick. Just so all Scripture is God inspired and profitable, and there is nothing in it unclean: only to him who thinks it is unclean, to him it is unclean. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.”[1 Thessalonians 5:21] “All things are lawful but all things are not expedient.” Among all, with whom you come in contact, be in all things a giver of no offence, cheerful, “loving as a brother,” pleasant, humble-minded, never missing the mark of hospitality through ...

Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 2, Volume 13, page 411, footnote 3 (Image)

Gregory the Great II, Ephriam Syrus, Aphrahat

Selections from the Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim the Syrian and from the Demonstrations of Aphrahat the Persian Sage. (HTML)

Aphrahat:  Select Demonstrations. (HTML)

Of Death and the Latter Times. (HTML)
CCEL Footnote 1210 (In-Text, Margin)

... to him in ten different ways about one matter, let him accept that which pleases him; and if any please not him, let him not scorn the sages; for the word of God is like a pearl, that has a beautiful appearance on whatever side you turn it. And remember, O disciple, what David said, From all my teachers have I learned. And the Apostle said:— Thou readest every Scripture that is in the Spirit of God.  And prove everything; hold fast that which is good; and flee from every evil thing.[1 Thessalonians 5:21-22] For if the days of a man should be many as all the days of the world from Adam to the end of the ages, and he should sit and meditate upon the Holy Scriptures, he would not comprehend all the force of the depth of the words. And man cannot rise up ...

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