1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 in Context
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 read in its full chapter context. See the verses before and after, plus historical setting and flow of thought.
"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
— 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (KJV)
Where This Verse Sits
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 appears in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, verse 16. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians around AD 50-51, making this one of the earliest New Testament letters. The church was young, likely less than a year old, and already facing persecution. Paul's three rapid-fire commands—rejoice, pray, give thanks—are presented as God's will, giving divine authority to practices that counter anxiety and despair.
The Verse Itself
"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
— 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (KJV)
Flow of the Passage
To grasp 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 fully, read it inside the surrounding paragraph. The verses before set up the argument, and the verses after show its outworking. 1 Thessalonians 5 as a whole carries forward the theme of christian living, and this single verse is one beat in that larger movement.
Paul gives three brief but powerful commands: constant joy, continuous prayer, and universal thanksgiving. These are marks of a healthy spiritual life.
Cross-References
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