Rejoice 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Paul the apostle was coming to an end of his first letter to the Thessalonian church and began to share several final directives including, “knowing and esteeming highly” those who “labor among”, “are over” and “admonish” them. He also told them to “warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men”, and they were not to “render evil none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among” themselves, “and to all men”. In chapter five and verse sixteen of his letter, Paul gives one of the shortest directives in the Bible as he told the Thessalonians to “rejoice”. We read:

Rejoice evermore.

The verse begins with the word, “Rejoice” which is the Greek word “chairō” and means “be glad, well and thrive exceedingly”. The idea is to be in a joyful state before the Lord.

The verse goes on to add, “evermore” which means “at all times, always and ever”. Not only did Paul desire for the Thessalonians to “be glad and thrive exceedingly” but he wanted this to be a perpetual state in which they lived.

While we think upon this very short verse, it may be that do not take a lot of time with it, and yet, we should. Would we be considered a person who “rejoices”? Do others see us as “exceedingly glad” at all times? We are told in the book of Philippians in chapter four and verse four, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”, and perhaps therein lie our inspiration. We may not always “rejoice” concerning our circumstances, but we can always be “exceedingly glad” in the Lord. The Lord Jesus is worthy of constant and perpetual thriving, and whenever our circumstances and situations dictate other than “rejoicing”, let us remember Him and evermore “rejoice” in His presence.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonians to “pray without ceasing”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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