Count Me In!

Introduction

Composed early in Paul’s ministry, this letter encapsulates a history of one church. Paul praised the Thessalonians for their faith, and leaves the instruction about the social obligations of the believers (vv. 12–15) and turns to the habits that characterize Christians’ relationship with God.

The marks of a Christian laid out in these verses are joy (v. 16), prayer (v. 17), and gratitude (v. 18). The person so oriented lives according to the will of God (v. 18 and commentary). The apostle joins these three together, showing the Thessalonians that they should be constant in joy, prayer, and gratitude—at all times and in every situation (“always,” “continually,” “in all circumstances”).

, giving his readers instructions on how to live in a way that pleases God.

Each of the habits are in the present imperative; meaning:

present — The verb tense where the writer portrays an action in process or a state of being with no assessment of the action’s completion.

Paul leaves the instruction about the social obligations of the believers (vv. 12–15) and turns to the habits that characterize Christians’ relationship with God. The marks of a Christian laid out in these verses are joy (v. 16), prayer (v. 17), and gratitude (v. 18). The person so oriented lives according to the will of God (v. 18 and commentary). The apostle joins these three together, showing the Thessalonians that they should be constant in joy, prayer, and gratitude—at all times and in every situation (“always,” “continually,” “in all circumstances”).

Composed early in Paul’s ministry, this letter encapsulates a history of one church. Paul praised the Thessalonians for their faith, giving his readers instructions on how to live in a way that pleases God.

imperative — The mood that normally expresses a command, intention, exhortation, or polite request. The imperative mood is therefore not an expression of reality but possibility and volition.

imperative — The mood that normally expresses a command, intention, exhortation, or polite request. The imperative mood is therefore not an expression of reality but possibility and volition.

Heiser, Michael S., and Vincent M. Setterholm. Glossary of Morpho-Syntactic Database Terminology. Lexham Press, 2013; 2013. Print.

Heiser, Michael S., and Vincent M. Setterholm. Glossary of Morpho-Syntactic Database Terminology. Lexham Press, 2013; 2013. Print.

The New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011. Print.

Green, Gene L. The Letters to the Thessalonians. Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos, 2002. Print. The Pillar New Testament Commentary.

I. Rejoice Always (16)

always adv. — at all times; all the time and on every occasion.

to rejoice (feeling) v. — to feel happiness or joy.

always adv. — at all times; all the time and on every occasion.

The Pulpit Commentary: 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5

Rejoice evermore; or, rejoice always (R.V.). Joy is that feeling of delight which arises from the possession of present good, or from the anticipation of future happiness; and in both respects the believer has abundant reason for constant joy. He possesses the blessedness of forgiveness and the sure prospect of eternal life, and he has the consciousness that all things work together for good to them that love God (Rom. 8:28).

The Pulpit Commentary: 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5

Rejoice evermore; or, rejoice always (R.V.). Joy is that feeling of delight which arises from the possession of present good, or from the anticipation of future happiness; and in both respects the believer has abundant reason for constant joy. He possesses the blessedness of forgiveness and the sure prospect of eternal life, and he has the consciousness that all things work together for good to them that love God (Rom. 8:28).

Rejoice evermore; or, rejoice always (R.V.). Joy is that feeling of delight which arises from the possession of present good, or from the anticipation of future happiness; and in both respects the believer has abundant reason for constant joy. He possesses the blessedness of forgiveness and the sure prospect of eternal life, and he has the consciousness that all things work together for good to them that love God ().

Rejoice evermore; or, rejoice always (R.V.). Joy is that feeling of delight which arises from the possession of present good, or from the anticipation of future happiness; and in both respects the believer has abundant reason for constant joy. He possesses the blessedness of forgiveness and the sure prospect of eternal life, and he has the consciousness that all things work together for good to them that love God ().

Pray without ceasing. The means of promoting religious joy is prayer. This prayer is to be “without ceasing,” implying constancy () and perseverance (; ; ). This is not a mere precept “capable of fulfilment in idea, rather than in fact” (Jowett); but it is an exhortation to live in a devotional frame of mind. It is impossible to be always on our bended knees, but we may be in the spirit of prayer when engaged in the duties of our earthly calling. Prayer may be without ceasing in the heart which is full of the presence of God, and evermore communing with him.

Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. 1 Thessalonians. London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1909. Print. The Pulpit Commentary.

Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. 1 Thessalonians. London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1909. Print. The Pulpit Commentary.

Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. 1 Thessalonians. London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1909. Print. The Pulpit Commentary.

II. Pray Continually (17)

unceasingly adv. — with unflagging (persistent, tireless) resolve.

to pray (petition) v. — to petition God (or a deity) to do something.

Pray without ceasing. The means of promoting religious joy is prayer. This prayer is to be “without ceasing,” implying constancy () and perseverance (; ; ). This is not a mere precept “capable of fulfilment in idea, rather than in fact” (Jowett); but it is an exhortation to live in a devotional frame of mind. It is impossible to be always on our bended knees, but we may be in the spirit of prayer when engaged in the duties of our earthly calling. Prayer may be without ceasing in the heart which is full of the presence of God, and evermore communing with him.

Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. 1 Thessalonians. London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1909. Print. The Pulpit Commentary.

III. Give Thanks in All Circumstances (18)

each adjs. — (used of count nouns) every one considered individually.

to pray (petition) v. — to petition God (or a deity) to do something.

each adjs. — (used of count nouns) every one considered individually.

to be thankful v. — to be impressed with a feeling of gratitude for kindness received (and ready and willing to acknowledge it).

to be thankful v. — to be impressed with a feeling of gratitude for kindness received (and ready and willing to acknowledge it).

cp. , “And when He had given thanks...”

In everything give thanks. In every circumstance—in joy and in sorrow; for everything—for prosperity and for adversity; in every place—in the house of God and on the bed of sickness; Christians should not only be engaged in constant prayer, but in constant thanksgiving; indeed, their prayers should partake largely of the nature of thanksgiving.

to be thankful v. — to be impressed with a feeling of gratitude for kindness received (and ready and willing to acknowledge it)....

Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. 1 Thessalonians. London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1909. Print. The Pulpit Commentary.

Conclusion

“Tragedies are common place, all kinds of diseases, people are slipping away. Economy down, people can’t get no pay, but as for me, all I can say is…thank you Lord, for all you’ve done for me.”

Folks without homes, people living out in the streets, and the drug habit some say, they just can’t be beat. Muggers and robbers, no place seems to be safe, but as for me, all I can say is thank you Lord, for all you done for me.

It could have been me, outdoors, with no food, and no clothes, or just alone, without a friend, or just another number with a tragic end, but you didn’t see fit to let none of these things be, everyday by your power, you keep on - keep on keeping me, I wanna say Thank you Lord for all you done for me.