"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
— 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 is the "rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances" passage. This page gives the verses, where they sit in 1 Thessalonians 5, and a plain reading. For more on the theme, see Bible verses about gratitude, Bible verses about prayer, and Bible verses about joy.
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The verses
The King James says, "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
"Rejoice" is chairō (G5463), and "always" is pantote (G3842). "Pray" is proseuchomai (G4336), and "continually" is adialeiptōs (G89), without letting up. "Give thanks" is eucharisteō (G2168), and "will" is thelēma (G2307).
Where they sit in 1 Thessalonians 5
1 Thessalonians is a letter from Paul, Silas, and Timothy to the church in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 1:1). Chapter 5 closes with a run of short instructions for life together: respect your leaders, live in peace, encourage the disheartened, help the weak (1 Thessalonians 5:12-15).
Verses 16-18 sit in the middle of that list. Right after them Paul says, "Do not quench the Spirit" (1 Thessalonians 5:19).
What the verses are saying
These are three habits, not three moods. Paul does not say feel happy always. He says rejoice, keep praying, and give thanks in all circumstances, which is different from giving thanks for every circumstance.
Then he gives the reason: "for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." People often ask what God's will is for their lives. Here is one plain answer. Paul says something close in Philippians 4:4 and 4:6; see Philippians 4:4 and Philippians 4:6-7.
Questions people ask
What does 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 say?
In the NIV it says, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." The KJV says, "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
What does "pray without ceasing" mean?
The Greek word adialeiptōs means without letting up. Paul is describing a steady habit of turning to God through the day, not words spoken every second.
Does 1 Thessalonians 5:18 mean we should thank God for bad things?
The verse says give thanks "in all circumstances," not for all circumstances. It asks believers to keep thanking God while they are in hard seasons.
What is God's will according to 1 Thessalonians 5:18?
Paul says rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks are "God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Who wrote 1 Thessalonians?
The letter opens, "Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians" (1 Thessalonians 1:1). Paul is traditionally named as its main author.
