5:16 Rejoice evermore Many think that “Jesus wept” (John 11:35) is the shortest verse in the Bible, but this verse is actually shorter in the Greek original. In a sense, the two verses complement each other. Because Jesus wept over sin and died for sin (Hebrews 5:7-9), we, as saved sinners, shall eternally rejoice in heaven.

5:17 Pray without ceasing. See note on I Thessalonians 1:3.

5:18 every thing. Note that the Scripture does not exhort us to give thanks in this verse for everything, but in everything (however, note also Ephesians 5:20). Compare Job 1:21; Job could give thanks even after losing all his possessions and even his children. Note also Habakkuk 3:17,18: “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines: the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat: the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” This kind of thankfulness is God’s will.