1 Thessalonians 1:2 kjv
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
1 Thessalonians 1:2 nkjv
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,
1 Thessalonians 1:2 niv
We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.
1 Thessalonians 1:2 esv
We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,
1 Thessalonians 1:2 nlt
We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly.
1 Thessalonians 1 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 1:8 | First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed in all the world. | Paul's characteristic opening thanksgiving for churches. |
| Rom 1:9 | For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you... | Emphasizes constant remembrance in prayer by Paul. |
| 1 Cor 1:4 | I always thank my God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus. | Paul's consistent practice of giving thanks. |
| Eph 1:16 | I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. | Parallel expression of thanks and prayer. |
| Eph 5:20 | Always giving thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. | Broad call for constant thanksgiving to God. |
| Phil 1:3-4 | I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for all of you making my prayer with joy. | Closely parallels 1 Thess 1:2, highlighting joy in prayer. |
| Phil 4:6 | Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. | Links prayer, petition, and thanksgiving. |
| Col 1:3 | We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you. | Paul's routine of thanksgiving paired with prayer. |
| Col 3:17 | And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. | Thanksgiving integrated into all aspects of life. |
| 2 Thess 1:3 | We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, as is fitting, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. | Direct parallel, shows thanksgiving for their growth. |
| 1 Tim 2:1 | I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people. | Instruction for prayer for all, includes thanksgiving. |
| 1 Tim 5:5 | ...constantly spends her time in supplications and prayers night and day. | Example of dedicated, constant prayer. |
| Philem 1:4 | I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers. | Another example of Paul's personal thanks for individuals. |
| Heb 13:15 | Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. | Emphasizes continuous thanksgiving as worship. |
| 1 Thess 5:17 | Pray without ceasing. | General command for constant prayer, echoing the practice in 1 Thess 1:2. |
| Acts 20:31 | Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. | Paul's tireless care for the churches through remembrance and ministry. |
| Isa 62:6-7 | I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night...Give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. | Old Testament example of relentless prayer/intercession. |
| Ps 100:4 | Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. | Links thanksgiving with entering God's presence. |
| Jer 29:12 | Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. | God invites His people to pray. |
| Luke 18:1 | Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not give up. | Jesus' teaching on persistence in prayer. |
1 Thessalonians 1 verses
1 Thessalonians 1 2 Meaning
The apostle Paul, alongside Silvanus and Timothy, expresses continuous and heartfelt gratitude to God for the believers in Thessalonica. This thanksgiving is not a mere formality but an active and constant practice, demonstrated through their ceaseless remembrance of the Thessalonian church in their every prayer. It signifies profound joy and spiritual concern for their faith and growth, which they perceive as God's work.
1 Thessalonians 1 2 Context
This verse is part of the opening greeting (salutation) of Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians, which traditionally begins with the author's identity, the recipients, and then a characteristic prayer of thanksgiving. The Thessalonian church was relatively new, having been founded during Paul's second missionary journey (Acts 17:1-9). They were a thriving community of believers, largely Gentile, who had rapidly embraced the Gospel, but also faced immediate and intense persecution from both local Jews and some Gentile authorities. This letter aims to encourage them in their afflictions, commend their steadfast faith, clarify eschatological misunderstandings concerning the Lord's return, and provide ethical instruction. Paul's immediate thanksgiving establishes a tone of pastoral affection and validates the believers' genuineness in Christ, setting the stage for his subsequent praise for their faith and love. It serves to reinforce their identity as a true church, validated by their genuine conversion and its transformative impact, despite facing significant opposition.
1 Thessalonians 1 2 Word analysis
- We (ἡμεῖς - hēmeis): Refers to Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy, as stated in 1 Thess 1:1. This "we" signifies the unity and shared purpose of the apostolic team in their ministry and pastoral care, demonstrating a collective witness rather than an individual address.
- give thanks (εὐχαριστοῦμεν - eucharistoumen): Present active indicative verb, meaning a continuous, ongoing action. It signifies a profound, grateful response that originates from the experience of divine grace (charis). This thanksgiving is directed to God, recognizing Him as the ultimate source of blessing and the power behind the Thessalonians' transformation and perseverance.
- to God (τῷ Θεῷ - tō Theō): Specifies the ultimate recipient of their gratitude. It underscores that the work seen in the Thessalonians is God's doing, not solely the apostles' effort or the believers' own merit. It highlights a Christ-centered theology where all good emanates from and returns to God.
- always (πάντοτε - pantote): Emphasizes the unceasing and habitual nature of their thanksgiving. It is not an occasional thought but a continuous, pervasive attitude and practice, reflecting deep commitment and constant awareness of God's work.
- for all of you (περὶ πάντων ὑμῶν - peri pantōn hymōn): Signifies the comprehensive scope of their gratitude and prayers. It encompasses every single believer in the Thessalonian church, demonstrating an inclusive and impartial love and care, with no individual overlooked.
- constantly mentioning (μνείαν ποιούμενοι - mneian poioumenoi): A Greek idiom meaning "making mention" or "making remembrance." The present participle (poioumenoi) denotes an ongoing action, echoing "always." It points to a deliberate and habitual act of recalling and speaking their names or their spiritual progress to God. This isn't merely thinking about them, but actively vocalizing their names or circumstances in prayer.
- you (ὑμῶν - hymōn): Directly refers to the church at Thessalonica, the body of believers.
- in our prayers (ἐπὶ τῶν προσευχῶν ἡμῶν - epi tōn proseuchōn hēmōn): Literally "upon our prayers." It specifies the context and medium through which their constant remembrance and thanksgiving are expressed. It emphasizes that intercession for others is an integral and primary component of their prayer life, foundational to their pastoral ministry.
Words-group by Words-group Analysis:
- "We give thanks to God always": Establishes the core action (thanksgiving), the recipient (God), the agents (Paul, Silas, Timothy), and the continuous nature of this spiritual practice. It frames the entire communication within a spirit of grateful worship and divine acknowledgement.
- "for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers": Clarifies the specific object of their gratitude and the active way this gratitude is expressed. It connects their general thankfulness to the concrete act of intercessory prayer, demonstrating genuine pastoral care for the entire community without exception, deeply rooted in their spiritual discipline.
1 Thessalonians 1 2 Bonus section
The inclusion of thanksgiving at the beginning of Pauline epistles (and here in 1 Thessalonians) is not just a common rhetorical device but a profound theological statement. It signals Paul's belief that the growth and faithfulness of believers are not due to human effort alone but are evident works of God's grace. By consistently thanking God for the Thessalonians, Paul also affirms their Christian identity and growth, despite persecution, validating their experience and strengthening their faith. This opening sets a positive tone and prepares the recipients to receive both commendation and instruction. It demonstrates that genuine pastoral leadership includes acknowledging God's hand in the lives of His people and committing to consistent prayer for them, fostering a relational rather than merely doctrinal connection.
1 Thessalonians 1 2 Commentary
1 Thessalonians 1:2 is more than a mere courtesy; it lays the foundation for Paul's letter, establishing his deep spiritual connection and genuine affection for the Thessalonian believers. His "always" and "constantly" emphasize the unceasing nature of their gratitude and prayer, reflecting a pastoral heart continuously burdened for and rejoicing over the spiritual welfare of the church. This highlights that authentic Christian ministry is born out of grateful acknowledgment of God's work in others, which then compels consistent intercession. It models a vibrant prayer life for believers, showing that thanksgiving and intercession for one another are intertwined and fundamental practices, reinforcing unity and mutual support within the body of Christ. It suggests that if leaders, in their busy schedule and demands, can consistently remember and pray, so too can every believer.