16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (ESV)
In rapid fire succession, the Apostle Paul continued his Holy Spirit fueled commands to the Thessalonian church (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). While many professing believers today feel they may and can do anything they want regardless of what Scripture says, today’s text with its list of commands states otherwise.
God calls believers in Christ to obey Him according to Scripture. This is in spite of whatever circumstances the individual is facing, which could prompt an unbiblical and disobedient response against God and other people. It is also in spite of any preconceived feelings about what is right or wrong for in the individual in question. Often, even well-taught believers begin with what they feel rather than what God has revealed in His Word.
Today’s text from I Thessalonians features three commands from the Lord. They are all positive in tone. God commands the believer to rejoice, to pray and to give thanks. An examination of each command is necessary.
“Rejoice always!” To rejoice (χαίρετε; chairete) is a present, active, plural imperative verb. The church is to have a rejoicing spirit presently, actively, collectively and obediently. To rejoice is to be in a state, or condition, or happiness and gladness. Psalm 118:24 (ESV) says, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
How often are believers in Christ to rejoice and be glad? The text says always (πάντοτε; pantote). This means at all times and on every occasion. Considering what the Apostle Paul, Silas and Timothy faced as ministers of the Gospel, this command is challenging. Likewise, with the conflict and suffering the Thessalonians faced, as has the church throughout history up to and including the present day, to always be joyful is not always easy. The Lord never said it would be.
“The Thessalonians were no strangers (see on 1:6) to the “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8), the “great joy” which resulted from the incarnation of Christ and from the redemption wrought through his cross. Yet with persecution from without and disturbances within, there was a danger (humanly speaking, of course!) that this joy would disappear. Hence, Paul, who himself again and again rejoiced in the midst of persecution and hardship (3:7–9; cf. Phil. 3:1; 4:4, 10), urges his readers to always be joyful,” comments Dr. William Hendriksen.
Secondly, believers are also to “pray without ceasing.” To pray (προσεύχεσθε; proeuchesthe) is a present, middle, plural, imperative verb. The middle voice in the Greek language emphasizes the individual’s personal responsibility; in this case to ceaselessly pray. The adverbial phrase without ceasing (ἀδιαλείπτως; adialeiptos) means constantly and continuously without stopping.
“Of course, in seasons of distress and grief he alone is able to find relief and even be joyful (in view of Rom. 8:28, 35–39) who at the Father’s throne makes all his wants and wishes known. Hence, the directive “Always be joyful” is immediately followed by “Ceaselessly pray.” The most comprehensive word for prayer (προσευχή, προσεύχομαι is used here. For synonyms see the striking passage Phil. 4:6. What Paul means is: there must be no decline in the regularity of the habit of “taking hold on God” in the midst of all circumstances of life. Cf. Rom. 12:12; Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:2. The apostle could afford to say this, for he himself gave the example (3:10; 2 Thess. 1:11; Eph. 1:16; 3:14),” continues Dr. Hendriksen.
Thirdly, believers are to “give thanks in all circumstances.” To give thanks (εὐχαριστεῖτε; eucharisteite) is a present, active, plural imperative verb. It means to not only verbally give thanks but also to have an attitude of thanksgiving and gratitude to God for His many blessings.
Psalm 100 (ESV) says, “1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! 3 Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! 5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”
“When a person prays without giving thanks, he has clipped the wings of prayer, so that it cannot rise. Hence, the trio of admonitions concludes with, “In all circumstances give thanks.” This phrase in everything (ἐν παντί probably with χρήματι understood) includes affliction, for even in the midst of all these things (“tribulation, anguish, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword”) believers are not merely conquerors but “more than conquerors” (super-invincibles), inasmuch as all these things actually help them to reach their predestined goal! See Rom. 8:35–37,” states Dr. Hendriksen.
“…for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” The word will (θέλημα; Thelma) refers to God’s purpose and desire. God’s desires all believers, regardless of their circumstances, to rejoice always, to ceaselessly pray and to be thankful in all circumstances.
“The Apostle writes that the will of God is for us to “rejoice always, pray without ceasing” and to “give thanks in all circumstances” (vv. 16–18). Importantly, the grammatical construction of this phrase indicates that these three things are key aspects of the Lord’s will for us but do not constitute the totality of His will. God has other things for us to do as well,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
“Paul has already listed other activities in which we must engage, including avoiding sexual immorality, loving one another, and working hard in our vocations (4:3–12). So, the admonitions in today’s passage do not mean that we are to spend every waking moment in prayer, thanksgiving, and rejoicing, for then we would be left without time to fulfill the other aspects of God’s will. Instead, the Apostle intends for us to approach all of life in a spirit of prayer, thanksgiving, and rejoicing—to do these things in both good times and bad, in our everyday activities and on special occasions.”
Resolve today to have an attitude of rejoicing, prayer and thanksgiving. May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day.
Soli deo Gloria!
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