Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Thessalonians 5:18

18 In every thing give thanks : for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you .

When we have obtained mercy by Prayer, then we are to give thanks, and what ever we may pray for, that we ought to give thanks for. And so by that understand and limit the general expression in the Text. We are not to give thanks when we fall into sin, for that we ought not to pray for. Yet if we have the pardon of it, or get any good by it, we should then give thanks; and so may be said concerning affliction, we are to give thanks in every condition, either of prosperity or adversity. And with all our supplications, we are joyn thanksgivings, Phil. 4.6. Col. 4.2. and thanksgiving properly refers to some mercy received▪ whether privative, or positive, temporal, or spiritual, private or publick, and we are in all these to give thanks. Though praising God may reach further, which is to adore the excellencies of his being as they are glorious in themselves, or the excellencies of his works as they are in themselves praise worthy. And Thanksgiving for mercy received is. 1. A taking notice of it as coming from God. 2. Setting a due value upon it. 3. A sense of Gods goodness and our own unworthiness. 4. Praising him for it.

Some carry this as a motive to all the preceding duties, but rather to this last mentioned: As if this was in special the Will of God; being a duty so much to his own glory and our good, and by will we must by a Metonymye understand the thing willed, Eph. 6.6. Col. 4.12. It is required by the Law of nature not written, which is part of Gods will. The Heathen are reproved for not being thankful, Rom. 1.21. and they made Laws to punish it, and accounted it the greatest reproach, ingratum si dixeris omnia dixeris, and by the Law of God that is written. The moral Law requires it, and the Ceremonial Law required offerings by way of thanksgiving; which we call gratulatory. And the Gospel requires it, it being one of the Gospel Sacrifices Heb. 13.15. and pleaseth the Lord better then the greatest of the legal Sacrifices, Psal. 69.30, 31. and it being said to be the Will of God in the Text, it must needs be pleasing to him.

Either meant as this will of his is signified to us by him, not only by the Law of nature, or of Moses, but by Christ Jesus, and so it may be of greater force upon Christians, and hereby it is to be looked upon as one of the Commandements of Christ also. Or we may understand it upon the account of Christ, and the great love of God in him. Though thanksgiving is due for the least mercy, yet Gods will especially requires it with respect to Christ. And so especially of Christians who partake of Christ, and the Love of God in him: as the Apostle here adds, [non-Latin text not transcribed].

Or towards you in special, the Heathens were obliged to thankfulness for Rain from Heaven, and fruitful seasons, these common blessings; much more are Christians for the special blessings they receive by Christ Jesus.

Marginal references: Eph. 5.20.