The appearance of evil ∙

The appearance of evil ∙

But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil. – 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

Job 1:8 Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless – a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.

Observing the Situation

While on a routine patrol, a County Sheriff came across a man standing by the roadside. The man was using a coat hanger to try to unlock a car. Was the man attempting to break in and steal it? Or was he simply locked out of his own car, trying to retrieve the keys he had left inside?

It’s easy to jump to conclusions. The man might have been doing something evil? But it’s equally possible he was carrying out a harmless act.

This scenario reminds us that not everything that appears to be evil actually is.

Understanding 1 Thessalonians 5:22

The King James Bible translates 1 Thessalonians 5:22 as follows: “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

At first glance, this appears to suggest that children of the King should avoid any action that could be perceived as sinful or wrong by others. However, modern Bible translations provide a more accurate rendering of the original Greek text. Here’s how the verse is translated in other versions:

NAS, ESV – “Abstain from every form of evil.”

NET, NLT – “Stay away from every kind of evil.”

NIV – “Avoid every kind of evil.”

MSG – “Throw out anything tainted with evil.”

These translations emphasize avoiding wrongdoing itself, rather than avoiding things that merely seem questionable to others.

Misinterpretation of Appearances

The King James translation has led many believers to assume they must avoid not only genuine evil but also any action that might be perceived as evil by others. This can sometimes lead to an over-cautious mindset, where people live in fear of being misunderstood.

Here’s the issue with this approach: “One problem with emphasizing the appearance of evil is that it can make us slaves to the perceptions of others. There will always be someone who thinks that something you’re doing is wrong or that it looks wrong to them. Rather than spending our time getting to know God and serving Him, we worry about the possibility that someone, somewhere, might misconstrue our actions” (gotquestions.org).

This raises an important question for children of the King. Should their primary focus be on pleasing the Father and living according to His will? Or should their actions be dictated by the subjective opinions and standards of others?

Context Matters

This verse is often taken out of context, and its true meaning distorted. To understand 1 Thessalonians 5:22 properly, it’s essential to consider the surrounding verses, which form part of Paul’s final instructions to the Thessalonians.

Paul emphasizes the importance of welcoming God’s Spirit and carefully evaluating prophetic messages. Through discernment, believers can distinguish between what is good and what is not. The focus is on testing for truth and rejecting what is evil. Here’s the larger passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:19-23:

19 Do not quench or stifle the Holy Spirit.

20 Do not scoff at or despise prophecies,

21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.

22 Stay away from every kind of evil.

23 Now, may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

This passage is not about avoiding things that might merely look bad. Instead, Paul instructs believers to reject actual evil and anything that contradicts God’s truth.

Living to Please the Father

The Father calls His children to live in obedience to Him, focusing on what He desires. Trying to live by the arbitrary standards of others can distract believers from their purpose and limit their growth in faith. Instead of worrying about how others might perceive their actions, children of the King are called to prioritize seeking and serving Him.

When 1 Thessalonians 5:22 is understood in context, it becomes clear that Paul’s instruction is about rejecting genuine sin and staying aligned with the truth of God’s Word. By doing so, believers can live a life pleasing to the Father and experience His peace and guidance.

A Final Reflection

When interpreting the Scriptures, it is crucial to approach passages with discernment. Misunderstandings can lead to unnecessary burdens or actions that overlook the heart of God’s instructions.

By focusing on avoiding every form of evil rather than worrying about appearances, we can live free from fear of others’ perceptions and be devoted instead to faithfully walking in the Father’s will.

REFLECT & PRAY

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Father, You require that the children of the King stay away from all forms of evil. Please encourage and strengthen us to do just that.

INSIGHT

Understanding the Command to Abstain from Evil

The Greek term apecho, often translated as “abstain,” “avoid,” or “stay away from,” carries the meaning of “refraining or restraining oneself from an action.” According to the UBS translation guide, “the intent here isn’t simply to step aside” or “get out of the way” of evil but rather to actively “refuse to do” or “have nothing to do with evil.”

Significantly, this verb is in the imperative tense in the Greek language, which means it is a command. Additionally, the middle voice emphasizes that this command is for the reader’s benefit.

Every Form, Every Kind of Evil

The Greek noun eidos, translated as “every kind” or “every form,” originates from the verb eido, which means “to see.” From ancient Greek usage, including Homer, it “emphasized the connection between what is visible and the reality behind it.” Unlike “mere appearances,” eidos points to the “actual nature, form, or kind of something.” This is why many modern translations opt for phrases such as “every form” or “every kind” instead of “appearance.”

For example, the Good News Bible (TEV) translates 1 Thessalonians 5:22 as follows:

“Reject every kind of evil.”

This distinction is critical because something that appears evil may not always be evil. Instead, the standard for determining good and evil is objective and established in the Word of God. The Scriptures, as God’s gold standard, define good and evil, right and wrong, and moral and immoral, rather than mere human perceptions.

The Meaning of Evil in Scripture

The Greek word poneros, translated as “evil,” carries a range of meanings, including “wicked,” “immoral,” “harmful,” “vicious,” “degenerate,” or “useless.” Morally, poneros refers to actions or behaviors that corrupt what is good, as explained in 1 Corinthians 15:2. Evil, in this sense, is not just abstract but refers to actions that are destructive, harmful, or contrary to God’s will.

Paul’s exhortation in 1 Thessalonians 5:22 mirrors the sense demonstrated in Job 1:8, where God says of Job, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless, a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”

When the children of the King are in right relationship with the Father, they respect His standards and actively reject evil. This is the principle Paul emphasizes in his letter. The New International Greek Testament Commentary (NIGTC) also echoes this idea, instructing believers to keep away from all forms of evil that contradict the Father’s ways.

Avoid Evil, Not Just the Appearance of It

Some interpret the phrase “avoid the appearance of evil” to mean avoiding actions that others might perceive as sinful. However, equating “form” with “appearance” introduces a misunderstanding. A focus on appearances can lead children of the King to be unnecessarily concerned about how their actions might be misconstrued by others, rather than focusing on living rightly before God.

Rather than flirting with sin or permitting ourselves to walk close to the edge, Paul’s instruction encourages us to run from evil altogether, resting in the power of the Holy Spirit to guide and sustain us as we do.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯3-16-2

© Dr. H 2025