1 Thessalonians 5:16 kjv
Rejoice evermore.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 nkjv
Rejoice always,
1 Thessalonians 5:16 niv
Rejoice always,
1 Thessalonians 5:16 esv
Rejoice always,
1 Thessalonians 5:16 nlt
Always be joyful.
1 Thessalonians 5 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Thessalonians 5:16 | Rejoice always. | Perseverance in Joy |
| Philippians 4:4 | Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. | Constant Joy in Christ |
| Psalm 16:11 | You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. | Eternal Joy in God's Presence |
| Psalm 37:4 | Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. | Finding Joy in God |
| Nehemiah 8:10 | …the joy of the Lord is your strength. | Strength from Joy |
| Romans 15:13 | May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. | Joy through Faith and Hope |
| Galatians 5:22 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, | Fruit of the Spirit |
| 2 Corinthians 6:10 | as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing all things. | Joy amidst Hardship |
| James 1:2 | Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, | Joy in Trials |
| John 15:11 | These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. | Fullness of Christ's Joy |
| Luke 10:20 | Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven. | True Basis of Rejoicing |
| Psalm 100:1-2 | Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! | Joyful Service |
| Matthew 25:21 | His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ | Reward of Joy |
| Romans 12:12 | Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. | Joy in Hope |
| Hebrews 12:2 | looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the God. | Christ's Joyful Endurance |
| Acts 5:41 | Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. | Rejoicing in Suffering |
| Isaiah 61:10 | I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a ornate headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. | Righteousness and Salvation |
| Psalm 149:5 | Let the saints exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their couches. | Exultation in Glory |
| Zephaniah 3:17 | The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud | God's Rejoicing Over His People |
| Philippians 3:1 | Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is not tiresome for me, but is safe for you. | Reinforcing Joy in the Lord |
| 1 Peter 1:6 | You rejoice in this, though now for a little while, if necessary, you must be tested through various trials. | Rejoicing Despite Trials |
1 Thessalonians 5 verses
1 Thessalonians 5 16 Meaning
Rejoice always. This is a direct and imperative command from God. It's not a suggestion but a call to perpetual, unceasing gladness in the Lord, irrespective of external circumstances. This inner disposition of joy is rooted in a relationship with God, not in worldly happiness which is fleeting.
1 Thessalonians 5 16 Context
1 Thessalonians 5 is part of a broader section dealing with the return of Christ and the conduct expected of believers. Paul is addressing how believers should live in light of this imminent event. Chapter 4 ended with instructions on how to comfort one another regarding those who have died before Christ's return. Chapter 5 shifts to the signs of Christ's coming, the Day of the Lord, and the readiness believers should maintain. Verse 16, "Rejoice always," is presented as one of several concise, imperative commands that form a pattern for godly living: "be watchful," "give thanks in all circumstances," and "abstain from every form of evil." These commands are interconnected and designed to foster a life pleasing to God, characterized by continuous spiritual alertness, gratitude, and moral purity, all grounded in the confidence of God's promises and Christ's soon return.
1 Thessalonians 5 16 Word Analysis
Rejoice (chaírete - χαίρετε): This is the present imperative, plural form of the verb chaíro. Chaíro means to be glad, to be joyful, to rejoice. The imperative mood commands an action. The present tense indicates a continuous or ongoing action. Therefore, the command is to be continually rejoicing. It’s not a one-time event but a lifestyle, a sustained attitude of inner gladness. The plural form addresses the entire community of believers in Thessalonica.
Always (pántote - πάντοτε): This adverb means at all times, on every occasion, without exception. It reinforces the continuous nature of the command to rejoice. It does not mean that one should rejoice in sinful acts or in suffering itself as a good thing, but rather that the believer's fundamental posture and underlying state of heart should be one of joy in the Lord, regardless of changing external conditions. This implies a source of joy deeper than circumstances.
Word-Group Analysis: The cluster of commands in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22—"Rejoice always," "pray without ceasing," "give thanks in all circumstances," "quench the Spirit," "do not despise prophecies," "test everything; hold fast what is good," "abstain from every form of evil"—collectively paints a picture of vibrant, Spirit-led Christian living. They are meant to be practiced concurrently. Rejoicing always, even amid trials (James 1:2), fuels perseverance in prayer and thankfulness.
1 Thessalonians 5 16 Bonus Section
The concept of rejoicing in all circumstances is not unique to 1 Thessalonians. Paul's instruction here echoes his own experience and the broader teaching of Scripture. The ability to "rejoice always" is intimately connected with a right understanding of who God is, His unchangeable nature, and His unfailing promises. It requires actively choosing to focus on spiritual realities – Christ’s completed work, the presence of the Holy Spirit, the hope of eternal glory – rather than exclusively on temporal circumstances. This requires a spiritual discipline of turning one’s mind and heart Godward, particularly through prayer and thanksgiving, as the subsequent verses in the chapter encourage.
1 Thessalonians 5 16 Commentary
This verse is a cornerstone of the Christian life, urging believers to cultivate a habitual inner gladness rooted in their relationship with God and the assurance of salvation, not in favorable circumstances. It’s a divine mandate to maintain a joyful spirit that transcends earthly troubles. This is achievable through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who produces joy as a fruit of His presence (Galatians 5:22). This perpetual rejoicing is not a denial of pain or sorrow but a determined trust in God’s ultimate goodness and sovereign plan, even when incomprehensible. It fuels endurance, strengthens faith, and serves as a powerful testimony to the world. The strength for this consistent rejoicing comes from Nehemiah 8:10: "the joy of the Lord is your strength."
- Practical Example: Even when facing job loss, a believer can still "rejoice always" by focusing on God’s provision, the security of their eternal home, and the new opportunities God might provide. During persecution, as the early church did (Acts 5:41), one can rejoice in being counted worthy to suffer for Christ.