1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

Context

1 Thessalonians 5:12–22 is a brief cluster of exhortations near the close of the letter. Immediately before this passage, Paul urges his readers to esteem their leaders, warn the unruly, and comfort the feebleminded. The three commands of verses 16–18 belong to this sequence. Because they are addressed to a plural "you," they can also be read as exhortations given with the community's worship and common life in view. This church had faced persecution from its founding (1:6; 2:14).

Interpretation

• As a way of life: Some note that "without ceasing" (Greek adialeiptōs) was used not of an action that never pauses even for a moment but of something that continues persistently, like a recurring cough. The phrase is therefore commonly understood to describe an attitude of prayer in which one lives conscious of God throughout the day.
• The meaning of "in every thing": Interpreters differ over whether the phrase means giving thanks "for all things" or "in all circumstances." On the basis of the preposition in the original text, many commentators favor the latter: the point is not to be grateful for hardship itself but to find reasons for thanksgiving even in the midst of hardship.
• The scope of "the will of God": On the question of whether "this" in verse 18 refers only to thanksgiving or to all three exhortations, most interpreters take it to refer to all three.

Questions of Application

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the tradition of the Jesus Prayer developed with this passage as its basis; in this practice the short prayer "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner" is repeated as naturally as breathing. Among Protestants, the passage has been cited both in support of observing fixed times of prayer and, conversely, in support of informal prayer woven into daily life. Some have also offered the pastoral caution that the passage must not be used to pressure those who are suffering into giving thanks.

In the Korean Church

The passage is frequently read at early-morning prayer meetings, at Thanksgiving services, and at New Year's Eve watch-night services, and it is often the first verse taught in children's Scripture memorization. A short gospel chorus using these words as its lyrics is widely sung.

Related Passages

• Philippians 4:4–6
• Ephesians 5:20
• Luke 18:1
• Colossians 4:2