21. πάντα [δὲ] δοκιμάζετε] The connecting particle δέ, which is amply vouched for, ought probably to be retained here, its omission being easily explained through the influence of the following δο-. In any case whether δέ is retained or not, the whole clause stands in a certain limiting relation to the foregoing precepts: important as ‘ gifts’ and ‘ prophesyings’ are, they cannot be accepted unhesitatingly, but must be put to the test (cf. 1 John 4:1). Nothing is said as to how this διάκρισιςπνευμάτων (1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Corinthians 14:29) is to be effected, but it can only be by a ‘ spiritual’ standard (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:13), and not by the ‘ rational’ inquiry which is sometimes found here, and to which the ‘ prove’ of A.V., R.V. lends a certain colour. For δοκιμάζω see the note on 2:4, and for the thought cf. Romans 12:2, Philippians 1:10. τὸκαλὸνκατέχετε] It is not easy to find an adequate English equivalent for τὸκαλόν, but when used in its moral sense the word denotes generally what is good in itself (cf. Arist. Rhet. 1:9. 3 καλὸνμὲνοὖνἐστίν, ὃἂνδιʼ αὑτὸαἱρετὸνὂνἐπαινετὸνᾖ) as distinguished from τὸἀγαθόν what is good in virtue of its results. Thus it is used of genuine as opposed to counterfeit coin (cf. Xen. Mem. 3:1 διαγιγνώσκειντότεκαλὸν [ἀργύριον] καὶτὸκίβδηλον), and is very appropriate here to denote the goodness which passes muster in view of the testing process just spoken of: cf. the noble comment of the historian Socrates on this verse—τὸγὰρκαλόν, ἔνθαἂνᾖ, ἴδιοντῆςἀληθείαςἐστίν (H.E. 3:16). For κατέχω = ‘ hold fast’ cf. Luke 8:15, 1 Corinthians 11:2; 1 Corinthians 15:2, Hebrews 3:6; Hebrews 3:14; Hebrews 10:23, and see Add. Note H.