W4
We are to test everything that is spoken in God's name.
Category: The Word and Will of God & Messiah
Type: Positive
Form: -
Source dataset: Old Testament
Uniqueness: Unique
Classical commandment: Yes
New Covenant Literal Application
Applies to Person Categories: Everyone
Literal Application: mandated
More explanation about New Covenant Literal Application
The New Covenant Literal Application Code (NCLA) is an interpretive guide used by the authors to indicate which person categories a mitzvah applies to, and at what level of literal compliance.
It combines person categories such as Jewish, K'rov Yisrael, and Gentile, together with male/female distinctions and an application level such as mandated, recommended, optional, or prohibited.
This code reflects the authors' interpretive opinion and is provided for prayerful consideration. On this page, the technical code is summarized into plain language to help new readers understand it more easily.
Detailed codes: GFm - Gentile female, mandated | GMm - Gentile male, mandated | JFm - Jewish female, mandated | JMm - Jewish male, mandated | KFm - K'rovat Yisrael female, mandated | KMm - K'rov Yisrael male, mandated
Bible references
Key NT Scriptures
- Acts 17:11
- 1 John 4:1-3
- 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
Key OT Scriptures
-
Deuteronomy 13:2-4
-
Deuteronomy 18:21-22
Supportive NT Scriptures
- 1 Corinthians 14:29-33
- 1 Corinthians 14:37-38
Bible verses copyright: PUBLIC DOMAIN except in the United Kingdom, where a Crown Copyright applies to printing the KJV. See http://www.cambridge.org/about-us/who-we-are/queens-printers-patent
Commentary
Rabbi Michael Rudolph
Scripture admonishes us to " test everything " ( 1 Thessalonians 5:21 ) because there are false prophets in the world who would mislead us intentionally, and also because well-meaning men sometimes mishear the voice of God. It was the approach used by the men of Berea who " welcomed Paul's message ", but engaged in " checking the Tanakh every day to see if the things Sha'ul was saying were true " ( Acts 17:11 ).
Classical commentators
This Mitzvah is not included among the 613 of Maimonides, Meir, or HaChinuch. However, #RN28, #MN22, and #C456 (based upon Deuteronomy 13:4(3) ), instructs us to not listen to anyone who prophesies in the name of an idol.
Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2
Classical sources
Maimonides
Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, 12th century) organized all 613 Torah commandments into a structured list. These linked items show where this Law of Messiah commandment overlaps with that classical framework.
Meir of Rothenburg
Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg (13th century, Germany) was a leading Talmudic authority. These reference numbers link this commandment to his halachic rulings.
MN22
Source and License
Based on The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective by Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster.
License: CC BY-ND 4.0 (Attribution required, NoDerivatives). CC BY-ND 4.0
Disclaimer: the original content is authored by Rabbi Michael Rudolph and Rabbi Daniel Juster; additional notes or implementation details on this website are not part of their original work and do not represent their views.
Record source: The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 1 & 2
Copyright note: Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2