1 Thessalonians 5 · Verse 18

1 Thessalonians 5:18

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18, King James Version

1 Thessalonians 5:18 in other translations

BSBGive thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
WEBIn everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.
ASVin everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward.
YLTin every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus in regard to you.
DARBYin everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus towards you;
BBEIn everything give praise: for this is the purpose of God in Christ Jesus for you.
WebsterIn every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

What does 1 Thessalonians 5:18 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
18. In every thing--even what seems adverse: for nothing is really so (compare Ro 8:28; Ep 5:20). See Christ's example (Mt 15:36; 26:27; Lu 10:21; Joh 11:41). this--That ye should "rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, (and) in every thing give thanks," "is the will of God in Christ Jesus (as the Mediator and Revealer of that will, observed by those who are in Christ by faith, compare Php 3:14) concerning you." God's will is the believer's law. Lachmann rightly reads commas at the end of the three precepts (1Th 5:16-18), making "this" refer to all three.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 18. In everything give thanks. Eph 5:20; Php 4:6. We can always find something to be thankful for, and there may be reasons why we ought to be thankful for even those dispensations which appear dark and frowning. Chrysostom, once the archbishop of Constantinople, and then driven into exile, persecuted, and despised, died far away from all the splendours of the capital, and all the comforts and honours which he had enjoyed, uttering his favourite motto δοξατωθεωπαντωνενεκεν glory to God for all things. Bibliotheca Sacra, i. 700. So we may praise God for everything that happens to us under his government. A man owes a debt of obligation to him for anything which will recall him from his wanderings, and which will prepare him for heaven. Are there any dealings of God towards men which do not contemplate such an end? Is a man ever made to drink the cup of affliction when no drop of mercy is intermingled? Is he ever visited with calamity which does not in some way contemplate his own temporal or eternal good? Could we see all, we should see that we are never placed in circumstances in which there is not much for which we should thank God. And when, in his dealings, a cloud seems to cover his face, let us remember the good things without number which we have received, and especially remember that we are in the world of redeeming love, and we shall find enough for which to be thankful.

For this is the will of God. That is, that you should be grateful. This is what God is pleased to require you to perform in the name of the Lord Jesus. In the gift of that Saviour he has laid the foundation for that claim, and he requires that you should not be unmindful of the obligation. Heb 13:15.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 18 In every thing give thanks - For this reason, that all things work together for good to them that love God; therefore, every occurrence may be a subject of gratitude and thankfulness. While ye live to God, prosperity and adversity will be equally helpful to you. For this is the will of God - That ye should be always happy; that ye should ever be in the spirit of prayer; and that ye should profit by every occurrence in life, and be continually grateful and obedient; for gratitude and obedience are inseparably connected.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22

We are to rejoice in creature-comforts, as if we rejoiced not, and must not expect to live many years, and rejoice in them all; but if we do rejoice in God, we may do that evermore. A truly religious life is a life of constant joy. And we should rejoice more, if we prayed more. Prayer will help forward all lawful business, and every good work. If we pray without ceasing, we shall not want matter for thanksgiving in…

Read the full comment on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 →

1 Thessalonians 5:18 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἐνenInG1722
παντὶpantieverythingG3956
εὐχαριστεῖτε·eucharisteitedo give thanks;G2168
τοῦτοtoutothisG3778
γὰρgarforG1063
θέλημαthelēma[is the] willG2307
θεοῦtheouof GodG2316
ἐνeninG1722
ΧριστῷChristōChristG5547
ἸησοῦIēsouJesusG2424
εἰςeistowardG1519
ὑμᾶς.humasyou.G4771

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Thessalonians 5:18

  • Ephesians 5:20

    Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

  • Philippians 4:6

    Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

  • Colossians 3:17

    And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

  • Hebrews 13:15

    By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

  • Job 1:21

    And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

  • 1 Peter 4:2

    That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

  • Psalms 34:1

    A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

  • 1 Peter 2:15

    For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

  • 1 John 2:17

    And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:3

    For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
every.
Eph 5:20; Php 4:6; Col 3:17; Job 1:21; Ps 34:1; Heb 13:15
for.
4:3; 1Pe 2:15; 4:2; 1Jo 2:17

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Read all of 1 Thessalonians 5

1 Thessalonians 5:18 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Dad gracias en todo; porque esta es la voluntad de Dios para con vosotros en Cristo Jesús.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		En toutes choses rendez grâces, car telle est la volonté de Dieu dans le christ Jésus à votre égard.
German
Elberfelder 1871		danksaget in allem, denn dieses ist der Wille Gottes in Christo Jesu gegen euch.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		In omnibus gratias agite: hæc est enim voluntas Dei in Christo Jesu in omnibus vobis.