The Giving of Thanks 1 Thessalonians 5: 18

Read the passage: 1 Thessalonians 5

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+5&version=ASV

(In everything give thanks:  for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning 

you.)

1:4 1. It is every believer's honest acknowledgement of mercy and grace.

...(Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.) ...

1:6 2. It is not circumstance dependent; but is God dependent.

2:2 (having received the word in much affliction) ....

If it has to be good to give thanks, we won't.  God is good, the basis forgiving of 

thanks.

2:4 3. It is a statement of faith.

(...but God, which trieth our hearts.)

It may even require faith to give the thanks.

2:5- 4. It is ultimately tied to the truth of scripture. 

  8 (...Nor of men sought we glory, ...as the apostles of Christ.)...

There is no rejoicing apart from truth.

3:2 5. It is an acknowledgement of God's commitment to His own.

(...to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

3:3, 6. It does not wrestle with the pathway of God's choosing. 

  4 (That no man should be moved by these afflictions: ....tribulation;...)

3:6, 7. It is a crown to faith.  

  7 (...good tidings of your faith and charity,  ...)

God crowns faith with His reward

3:7 8. It is a witness of strength, God's strength.

(we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:)

3:9, 9. It nurtures the faith of others.

  10 (...for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;  ...)

3:11- 10. It is an honest acknowledgement of God as my source.

  13 (Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, ...)

4:1 (how ye ought to walk and to please God, ...)

It is further an acknowledgement of the full sufficiency of Christ.

4:3- 11. It is God's reproof to evil.   

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

  fornication: ...)

The impact of evil influence is overcome in a believer's life by the

  acknowledgment of Christ as source.  Thanksgiving is thus, a protection.

The presence of thanksgiving in the hearts of believers serves also as a reproof

  to evil and its affliction and corruption.

Rom. 12:  21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

4:9 12. It rejoices in love's common expressions.

(But as touching brotherly love ....)

4:11,13. It is an affirmation of contentment and commitment to God.

12,18 (study to be quiet, .....have lack of nothing;  comfort one another ....)

5:  11 (Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, ...)

4:13-14. It doesn't lose sight of the coming hope of Christ's rapture of the church.

   18 (....Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in

  the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:  and so shall we ever be with the Lord.)