19. τὸπνεῦμαμὴσβέννυτε] in itself a perfectly general precept but, in view of the προφητείας of the next clause (see note), employed here with special reference to the charismatic gifts which had shown themselves at Thessalonica as afterwards at Corinth (1 Corinthians 12:14.). Against these apparently a reaction had arisen owing to a certain amount of ἀταξία in their exercise (see Intr. p. 34 and cf. 1 Corinthians 14:29 ff.), and consequently the Apostles found it necessary to warn their readers lest in their dread of over-enthusiasm the χαρίσματα should be extinguished altogether: cf. 2 Timothy 1:6 ἀναμιμνήσκωσεἀναζωπυρεῖντὸχάρισματοῦθεοῦ. The use of σβέννυτε (for form, WSchm. p. 124) is in accord with the frequent application of the metaphor of fire to the Spirit in Scripture (Acts 2:3; Acts 18:25, Romans 12:11; cf. Plut. de defect, orac. § 17, p. 419 b ἀποσβῆναιτὸπνεῦμα): while μή with the pres. imp. instead of the aor. subj. points to the necessity of desisting from a course of action already going on, as distinguished from avoidance of similar action in the future (Moulton Prolegg. pp. 122 f., 247).