Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Thessalonians 5:22

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil .

To make this verse have its connection with the former, some Expositors understand it of Doctrines and Opinions only. To take heed of Opinions that seem erroneous, and not rashly to receive them without due examination. Though this sence is not to be excluded, yet the verse need not be confined to it, but to extend to practise also; as in Worship to abstain from the shew of Idolatry, as to eat meat in an Idols Temple was not alwaies gross Idolatry, but had some appearance of it; and therefore the Apostle forbids it, 1 Cor. 10.14. And so in Civil Conversation, not only to abstain from vice, but the appearance of it; as of Pride, Covetousness, Drunkenness, Whoredom, &c. and that both with respect to our selves, lest by venturing upon that which hath some shew of evil, we step into the evil it self, and with respect to others, that we may not occasion the taking offence though not justly given; or do that which may any way encourage a real evil in them by that appearance of it, which they see in our selves; yet we ought not upon this account to forbear the discharge of any necessary Duty. Some read the words, Abstain from all kind of evil, [non-Latin text not transcribed], and the Greek word is so used by Logicians: But here to insist on particulars is infinite. And thus the Apostle concludes all these positive Duties with a general praecept which he leaves with them at the close of his Epistle; having dehorted them from many evils, now he exhorts them to abstain from the appearance of them.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] 4.8.