Koine Foundations

¹⁶ Always rejoice, ¹⁷ constantly pray, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

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Word Focus
constantly pray
ἀδιαλείπτως προσεύχεσθε
adialeiptōs proseuchesthe
<Hear It>

In this post I continue commenting on 1 Thessalonians 5:16 to 18. Click here to read the prior post that gives introductory information about the letter of Paul called First Thessalonians and comments on verse 5:16 to “always rejoice“.

As mentioned in the prior post, near the end of Paul’s letter, he encourages the Thessalonian Christians to engage in three activities that should characterize all genuine believers:

¹⁶ Always rejoice,
¹⁷ constantly pray,
¹⁸ in everything give thanks.

The second activity that should characterize the genuine Christian is “constantly pray“.

The Greek word for prayer used in this verse (προσεύχομαι / proseuchomai) is a word that includes all types of prayer. Because verse 18 specifically mentions giving thanks, some commentators suggest that Paul has only intercessory prayer in mind in verse 17. However, it is probably best to understand the word “pray” as commanding all types of prayer, since thanksgiving is not an activity that is limited to prayer. I think that Paul is encouraging believers to rejoice in all sorts of ways, pray in all sorts of ways, and give thanks in all sorts of ways.

Paul’s command is not just to pray, but to pray “constantly” (ἀδιαλείπτως / adialeiptōs). By this he does not mean that the believer should be on his or her knees with hands folded “twenty-four seven”. Paul knows there are many godly and mundane duties that must be done throughout the day besides praying. What is meant is constantly recurring prayer, not continuously occurring prayer.

Constant prayer is an ongoing conversation with God that takes place throughout the day. Some people describe this as “walking with God”. When two people walk together they have companionship. At times they talk and listen to each other. At other times they are silent, but they are constantly in the presence of each other. This is a picture of constant prayer. It is fellowship with God and realizing his presence in one’s life.

• As such, it may be spoken or silent prayer, or merely an attitude of the heart. It may be quoting Scripture or singing. It will include many spontaneous requests due to activities and people encountered throughout the day – prayers for one’s own needs and for the needs of others. It will include set times of private meditation and public prayer with other believers.
• As such, it grows out of an attitude of dependence on God who supplies all needs and the power and grace to live the Christian life day-by-day. Constant prayer helps the believer as he or she encounters obstacles and recognizes his or her own insufficiency in the experiences of living.
• As such, it is an activity that develops over time through practice and by replacing other less worthwhile habits. In our digital culture, we surf, text and tweet away our time – time that can be used for praying. Activities such as these, which have no eternal value, can be replaced by prayer.

Prayer becomes more constant as one develops a deeper relationship with God.

In the next post I will comment on verse 18 – “in everything give thanks“.

Links to all three posts in this series:
Always rejoice
Constantly pray
In everything give thanks

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Word Focus Lexicon

Lexical Form: ἀδιαλείπτως<Hear It>
Gloss: constantly, unceasingly
Part of Speech: Adverb
New Testament Frequency: 4
Strong’s Number: G89 (Link to Blue Letter Bible Lexicon)

Lexical Form: προσεύχομαι <Hear It>
Gloss: I pray
Part of Speech: Middle Only Verb
New Testament Frequency: 85
Strong’s Number: G4336 (Link to Blue Letter Bible Lexicon)

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Bibliography

Thomas, Robert L. 1 Thessalonians, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 11. The Zondervan Corporation. 1978.
Barclay, William. The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians and Thessalonians. The Westminster Press. 1954, 1959.
Danker, Frederick William (Editor). A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and other Early Christian Literature, Third Edition (BDAG). The University of Chicago Press. 2000.
Best, Ernest. A Commentary on the First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians, Harper’s New Testament Commentaries. Hendrickson Publishers. 1972, 1977, 1979, 1986.
Morris, Leon. The First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians, The New International Commentary on the New Testament. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. 1991.
Vos, Howard F. Beginnings in the New Testament. Moody Press. 1973.
Wanamaker, Charles A. The Epistles to the Thessalonians, The New International Greek Testament Commentary. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. 1990.
Wiersbe, Warren. Be Ready. Victor Books. 1979.
Winward, Stephen. How to Talk with God. Harold Shaw Publishers. 1961.

Unless otherwise noted, English translations of Bible verses are by the author from the Greek text and are not quotations from any copyrighted Bible version or translation.