{Quench not the spirit} (	o pneuma m(8820)sbennute). M(885c) with
the present imperative means to stop doing it or not to have the
habit of doing it. It is a bold figure. Some of them were trying
to put out the fire of the Holy Spirit, probably the special
gifts of the Holy Spirit as verse  20  means. But even so the
exercise of these special gifts ( 1Co 12-14  2Co 12:2-4  Ro
12:6-9 ) was to be decently (eusch(886d)on(9373),  1Th 4:12 ) and in
order (kata taxin,  1Co 14:40 ) and for edification (pros
oikodom(886e),  1Co 14:26 ). Today, as then, there are two extremes
about spiritual gifts (cold indifference or wild excess). It is
not hard to put out the fire of spiritual fervor and power.