1 Thessalonians 5:18 kjv
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 nkjv
in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 niv
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 esv
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 nlt
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Thess. 5:18 | In everything give thanks... | Admonition for perpetual thanks |
| Ps. 34:1 | I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. | Attitude of praise |
| Ps. 50:23 | Whoever offers praise glorifies me; to him who orders his way right I will show the salvation of God! | Praise honors God |
| Prov. 15:15 | All the days of the afflicted are bad, but a cheerful heart is good medicine. | Heart’s disposition impacts life |
| Phil. 4:6 | ...in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. | Thanksgiving in requests |
| Col. 3:17 | And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. | Thankfulness in all actions |
| Eph. 5:20 | giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, | Constant and all-encompassing thanks |
| Rom. 8:28 | We know that all things work together for good of those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. | God's working for good |
| James 1:2 | Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds... | Joy in trials |
| Rev. 7:12 | ...“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever! Amen!” | Heavenly worship of thanksgiving |
| Ps. 107:1 | Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! | Reason for thanksgiving |
| Jer. 30:19 | Out of them shall come songs of thanksgiving, and the voices of merrymakers. | Thanksgiving in restoration |
| Hab. 3:17-18 | Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines... yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. | Rejoicing in God despite hardship |
| 2 Cor. 4:15 | For it is all for your sake, so that the grace which is increasing by the many may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. | Thanksgiving for grace |
| Luke 17:15-16 | Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. | Giving thanks directly |
| John 1:16 | For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. | Source of grace |
| Heb. 12:28 | Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken... | Gratefulness for the kingdom |
| Acts 16:25 | About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. | Singing hymns in suffering |
| Eph. 1:3 | Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. | Blessings from God |
| 1 Cor. 15:57 | But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. | Thanksgiving for victory |
1 Thessalonians 5 verses
1 Thessalonians 5 18 Meaning
In every situation, give thanks. This verse calls for a perpetual spirit of gratitude, regardless of external circumstances. It's not about thanking God for specific bad events, but about maintaining a thankful heart towards Him always, acknowledging His sovereignty, goodness, and guiding hand in all things. This thankfulness is rooted in faith and trust in God’s ultimate plan and provision.
1 Thessalonians 5 18 Context
This verse is found at the end of 1 Thessalonians chapter 5. Paul is concluding his letter with a series of practical exhortations for Christian living. The immediate context is a call to maintain joy, prayer, and thankfulness amidst the realities of life. He has just spoken about the certainty of Christ’s return and the need to be alert and sober. Following this, he encourages believers to always be joyful, to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in all circumstances. This exhortation to thanksgiving is therefore part of a broader emphasis on maintaining a proper attitude and behavior in light of God’s truth and His unfolding plan for humanity, specifically in preparation for the Lord’s return. Historically, the Thessalonians were facing persecution and hardship, making this instruction particularly relevant to their situation.
1 Thessalonians 5 18 Word Analysis
- "In" (ἐν - en): This preposition indicates presence, manner, or circumstance. It suggests that the thanksgiving should exist within or by means of all things.
- "everything" (παντί - panti): This refers to all circumstances, events, or situations, whether perceived as good, bad, or neutral. It’s a comprehensive term encompassing every aspect of life.
- "give" (εὐχαριστεῖτε - eucharistite): This is the present imperative form of the verb "eucharisteō," meaning to give thanks, to be thankful. The imperative indicates a command or a strong exhortation. The present tense suggests a continuous, ongoing action rather than a one-time event. It's a state of being and an active practice.
- "thanks" (χάριτι - chariti): Derived from "charis" (grace), "chariti" refers to grace, favor, or kindness. Thus, giving thanks is intrinsically linked to recognizing and acknowledging God's grace. It’s thanksgiving in grace, or thanksgiving because of grace.
- "God" (Θεοῦ - Theou): This is the genitive case of "Theos," referring to God, the Supreme Being. The phrase "thanks to God" (εὐχαριστεῖτε τῷ Θεῷ - eucharistite tō Theō, though in this verse it’s structured slightly differently but understood as "thanks to God") highlights that the ultimate object of this thanksgiving is God.
Phrase Analysis:
- "In everything give thanks" (ἐν παντὶ εὐχαριστεῖτε - en panti eucharistite): This is a concise, impactful phrase. The juxtaposition of "in everything" and "give thanks" creates the core exhortation. It’s not "thanks for everything" which might imply endorsing negative circumstances, but "thanks in everything," highlighting a thankful disposition that persists regardless of the external situation. This attitude originates from the recognition of God’s sovereign presence and purposes even within difficult or unpleasant circumstances.
1 Thessalonians 5 18 Bonus Section
The Greek word for "thanks" (χάριτι - chariti) is closely related to "grace" (χάρις - charis). This connection highlights that our ability and mandate to give thanks stems from God’s grace toward us. We can be thankful because God has shown us grace through Jesus Christ. This underscores that thankfulness is not merely an emotional response but a theological reality rooted in divine favor. The imperative mood also indicates that this is not merely a suggestion but a vital practice expected of believers, a fruit of the Spirit. This verse serves as a core principle for living a life pleasing to God, demonstrating a deep-seated trust that transcends the fluctuations of earthly experience.
1 Thessalonians 5 18 Commentary
This verse encapsulates a profound truth of the Christian faith: the command to maintain a spirit of thankfulness irrespective of outward conditions. It is not a call to express gratitude for evil itself, but a mandate to cultivate a heart that consistently acknowledges God’s goodness, faithfulness, and sovereignty in every aspect of life. This perspective shift is supernatural, empowered by the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to see God at work even amidst trials, hardships, or uncertainties. Such pervasive thankfulness testifies to God's unfailing grace and His ultimate good purposes for His people.
Practical Usage Examples:
- When facing a personal illness, instead of dwelling on the discomfort, give thanks for God’s healing power, for the medical professionals, and for the lessons learned during the recovery.
- During financial difficulties, be thankful for past provision, for God’s sustaining strength, and for any current support systems, trusting in His future care.
- When encountering conflict with others, give thanks for the opportunity to grow in patience, forgiveness, and understanding, and pray for God’s intervention.