1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
Paul says to pray without ceasing, together with rejoicing and giving thanks
Study it word by word16Rejoice always.
17Pray unceasingly.
18In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in the Messiah Jesus for you.
In its context
14And we exhort you, brothers: admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all.
15See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.
…
19Do not quench the Spirit.
20Do not despise prophecies,
Its words in the original
- πάντοτεpantote· always
Always.
- χαίρετεchairete· rejoice
Rejoice, be glad. As a greeting, "hail!" or "greetings!".
- ἀδιαλείπτωςadialeiptōs· constantly
"Without ceasing", "constantly".
- προσεύχεσθεproseuchesthe· pray
Pray: speak with God.
- εὐχαριστεῖτεeucharisteite· give thanks
Give thanks.
- θέλημαthelēma· will
Will: what someone wants and decides.
- θεοῦtheou· God, god
God. In the plural or in another sense, "gods".
- ΧριστῷChristōi· Messiah
Messiah: literally "anointed", the king or envoy God consecrates with oil. It is a title, not a surname; in Hebrew, mashiach.
- ἸησοῦIēsou· Jesus
Jesus, the Greek form of the Hebrew Yehoshua (Joshua), which means "YHWH saves". It is the name the angel told Joseph to give him (Matthew 1:21).