1 Thessalonians 5

NET

22 Stay away from every form of evil.


Darby

22 hold aloof from every form of wickednessD8808.


Darby Bible Notes

wickedness - The distinction between the expressions 'the right' and the word translated 'wickedness' (lit. 'evil') without an article is profoundly beautiful. The latter is looked at as a general thing, a genus, and has kinds or species. They were to hold fast 'the right,' the thing in itself. But we cannot speak of evil in itself as an abstract existence. Its most absolute form is Satan (as 'the wicked one,' see Matt. 13.19), though we may practically speak of 'evil,' but I cannot say 'evilness' as I can 'goodness.' I must suppose an existence of what is good to have an idea of evil. But if I say ' wickedness,' I think of an act or of evil will in someone, malice, and this gives the sense here.


KJV

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.