Should We Abstain from the Apearance of Evil?
October 28th, 2009 by Sean
1Thes 5.22 [KJV]
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
It is amazing how one little word can change a meaning so much. I bet a lot of puritanical church rules were generated by a concern to avoid even the “appearance” of evil. Matthew Henry’s commentary (from 1706) says:
We should therefore abstain from evil, and all appearances of evil, from sin, and that which looks like sin, leads to it, and borders upon it. He who is not shy of the appearances of sin, who shuns not the occasions of sin, and who avoids not the temptations and approaches to sin, will not long abstain from the actual commission of sin.
In addition the Geneva Bible Notes (1576) say:
Whatever has but the very show of evil, abstain from it.
It is clear that both of these commentaries had the same opinion as the KJV. However, it is remarkable to note that the NKJV, which is an attempt to keep the KJV but in modern English, felt the need to correct this verse. Below are both translations side by side:
1Th 5.22 [KJV]
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1Th 5.22 [NKJV]
Abstain from every form of evil.
Furthermore, every single modern translation I checked likewise opposes the KJV by saying something like “stay away from every form of evil.” The question really turns on the translation of a single Greek word eidous (εἴδους) which can be translated as the following (according to BDAG lexicon):
1. the shape and structure of something as it appears to someone, form, outward appearance
2. a variety of something, kind
3. the act of looking/seeing, seeing, sight
Under definition #2 this lexicon specifically sites our verse (1 Thes 5.22) along with other Greek texts (outside of the Bible) which use the exact same phrase. This, for me, is good evidence that we should go with the modern translation. This is probably partly due to the fact that Greek lexicons are always improving as more ancient Greek literature is discovered, studied, and cataloged so that today we have a much better grasp of the biblical Greek vocabulary than was available three hundred years ago when Matthew Henry wrote his notes.
So what are the options for interpreting this verse? If we go for the outdated translation “abstain from every appearance of evil” we are going to set hedges around things that might be perceived by others as sinful. This can easily lead to legalism as is the case with alcohol in some parts of the south. When I was attending Atlanta Bible College a native Georgian told me that if a minister was ever seen in a restaurant with a glass of wine that would be the end of his ministry. Shocking. And I bet this verse is their primary one for justifying such a mentality. Of course, Jesus did not keep away from every appearance of evil. He went to dinner parties with prostitutes, tax-collectors, and sinners. He feasted so frequently (which included drinking alcohol) that his enemies called him “a glutton and a drunkard.”
So what is the other option? The verse more likely means that we are to keep away from every kind of evil. The Apostle is just finishing his letter to the Thessalonian community and in this portion he is machine-gunning them with brief instructions:
1Th 5.16-22 [NRSV]
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit.
20 Do not despise the words of prophets,
21 but test everything; hold fast to what is good;
22 abstain from every form of evil.
I think he is simply urging these brand-new Christians to stay away from evil. I don’t interpret this as a particularly deep command that needs detailed explanation, rather I see it as a simple command like a father would give his son just before leaving for a business trip: “son, while I’m gone, listen to your momma.” or “keep your nose clean” or “stay out of trouble”–something like that. As Christians we are to stay away from evil.
Nice little study. I thought of 2 things related to this. One is that there is a way that you could understand the “appearance” word more like form, although that is not how we usually understand it as it is used here. The note from Matthew Henry indicates that he did not take it that way either. The other thought relates to Henry’s comment. He very quickly makes “evil” and “sin” equivalent and I wonder if that is true. Is there a difference, at least in this context, between evil and sin? Is evil a subset of sin? Just some thoughts.
It seems to me that there is a difference between an appearance of evil, and an evil. There are times in life when I had wished I had
avoided what could look or appear as if it was evil, though sometimes I do things that do test a person’s discernment for instruction. I’ve seen myself doing that at times. At times that could be a part of discipleship, but there have been times I had wished I had not done or said something as it could easily have appeared to be evil and caused someone to fall or be confused.
Sometimes I had to go back and do some explaining, not in self-justification, but for clarity. Sometimes I had to go back and repent.
I do believe there are times to avoid appearances of evil. Sometimes there really is evil in what we thought was not evil but only could appear to be that way, as was mentioned in Sean’s article.
We should avoid all things that could cause a brother to fall. (see Romans 14) Also I think of the time Paul said that all things for him
were lawful, but not all things helped people in the gospel. This he said in several different ways.
Brian,
It seems to me like Matthew Henry took the verse to mean “stay away from anything even remotely close to evil.” This reminds me of the Pharisees who construct fence laws as a way of insuring they would never break the actual law. Of course there is nothing wrong with each individual holding themselves to a stricter standard but once we generalize it we get into trouble. If we think that something that appears to be evil but is not is wrong then that adds in a whole gray area for people to be judged guilty when they are innocent. But, if this verse simply is saying that we should “stay away from every kind of evil” then this whole discussion is irrelevant.
Sean,
I agree with you. It is enough of a challenge to avoid all forms of evil, without trying to figure out what others think is evil. The Scriptures are our standard, not what others may think.
Sean,
Thanks for this sharing. I agree that the exhortation in I Thessalonians is a simple directive to stay away from every kind of evil.
It is ironic that the Pharisees, in their zeal to follow “oral traditions” – fence laws, to avoid evil (and appearances of evil), committed the evil of being hypocrites, judging the guiltless, and disregarding certain of God’s laws in order to keep their traditions.
All genuine obedience to God is to be from the heart. Even the commands to abstain from meats, etc., in certain settings in front of other people (even if the actual eating of meat is not sin) are for the purpose of having compassion on “weaker” ones regarding their conscience before God. Of course we are to be aware of which actions could be a questionable example or a potential stumbling block to others (I Corinthians 10: 32 and other Scriptures.)
Nevertheless, whenever “keeping appearances” becomes a motivation in itself, there is a danger that Pharisaical priorities corrupt simplicity and honesty of heart.
Isn’t making a fence law evil?
Is this an example of Jesus avoiding an appearance of evil?
John 11:11-14
These things said he: and afer that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
Howbeith Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
Ray,
I think this (John 11: 11-14) is simply an example of Jesus clearing up their misunderstanding. Jesus had used “sleep” as a euphemism for death, something commonly done in the Bible (I Thessalonians 4: 13-18.) They misunderstood by taking his use of “sleep” literally. Jesus then told them the literal fact: Lazarus is dead.
Hi All
After reading this thread and the various comments I am reminded that it is far easier for us to ask ourselves “Am I walking in the Love of God”, rather than having a sort of defensive attitude about every little thing. Is this right?, is this wrong?, Am I offending so and so? the list just goes on and on and I think all you end up with is religion.
So yes Sean I think Thes 5:16-22 is a peppering of admonisions, like someone at the end of a teaching wants to make a series of bullet points as a series of one statement reminders. I think each of these admonishions could be expanded verse 22 (the focus of this thread) remindes me of
Proverbs 4:14-17 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil [men]. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause [some] to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
I think this from Epheasians is also relevant
Ephesians 5:15-16 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
would love to chat longer but have to get to work – these things just get in the way
Cheers
I think this is much bigger than just staying away from evil.
Isn’t this simply saying don’t be evil? Which covers thinking it, speaking it and doing the acts of it. It’s a bit hard not to see evil because it’s everywhere, we live in an evil world that is getting progressively worse.
The list of things that come before it are all aimed at what is going on within an individual, rejoice, pray, give thanks, extinguish not the spirit etc. are all actions that come from within a person.
Doesn’t the word abstain make it something that one controls and refrains from, with deliberate effort or self-denial from an action or practice?
Abstain from every form of evil. /Abstain from all appearance (or acts/actions) of evil.
We should not think it, speak it, take part in it or seek it out.
Ken, what if Jesus would not have told them plainly that Lazarus
had died? It seems to me that he told them plainly so as to avoid
evil. He didn’t want them to have a misunderstanding about Lazarus did he?
As free Christians, free from legalism, from the need or desire to be perfectionistic, I think, as many have reallised, that Paul wanted us to be cautious. We are under grace, we are under God’s love and our will is to do God’s will. Paul admonishes us to cherish that and to be cautious of anything that could rob us of it.
Jude said something similar to that:
Paul did warn against a legalistic form of worship in another letter, to Titus, where he wrote (in somewhat harsh words):
Here Paul reminded Titus of the danger of legalism. These are the very ones who are destable and unclean. They are in need of redemption and now they want to bind others with unnecessary commands of men. How easily this kind of religion leads to self-righteousness and presumptuousness…