1 Thessalonians · Chapter 5 · Gratitude
1 Thessalonians 5:16 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
Read this verse slowly. Let it settle before you move on.
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"Rejoice always."
KJV · King James Version
"Rejoice5463 evermore3842."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses evermore, while the WEB renders these as always. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
1 Thessalonians 5:16 in 1 Thessalonians 5
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is 1 Thessalonians 5:16 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of 1 Thessalonians 5. Read the full chapter →
- v.14 We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the faint-hearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.
- v.15 See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, for one another, and for all.
- v.16 Rejoice always.
- v.17 Pray without ceasing.
- v.18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.
Book background
About the Book of 1 Thessalonians
- Testament
- New Testament
- Genre
- Pauline epistle
- Author
- Paul
- Date written
- c. 51 AD
- Audience
- The young church at Thessalonica
- Chapters
- 5
1 Thessalonians comforts a young persecuted church with the certainty of Christ's return — that the Lord will descend with a shout, the dead in Christ will rise first, and believers will be caught up "to meet the Lord in the air" (4:16-17). It also urges practical holiness and quiet, hardworking lives.
Setting: One of Paul's earliest letters — within months of planting the church.
Key themes: hope · second coming · sanctification · love · work
Frequently asked
FAQ about 1 Thessalonians 5:16
What does 1 Thessalonians 5:16 say?
1 Thessalonians 5:16 reads: "Rejoice always." — from the New Testament, 1 Thessalonians (Pauline epistle). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is 1 Thessalonians 5:16 in?
1 Thessalonians 5:16 is in the book of 1 Thessalonians, traditionally attributed to Paul and written around c. 51 AD. 1 Thessalonians is pauline epistle in the New Testament, originally addressed to The young church at Thessalonica. Best known for the rapture passage (4:16-17) and the second coming.
What is 1 Thessalonians 5:16 about?
1 Thessalonians 5:16 is primarily a Bible verse about Gratitude. Within 1 Thessalonians, 1 Thessalonians comforts a young persecuted church with the certainty of Christ's return — that the Lord will descend with a shout, the dead in Christ will rise first, and believers will be caught up "to meet the Lord in the air" (4:16-17). Read the full passage above with surrounding context.
What is the difference between 1 Thessalonians 5:16 in WEB and KJV?
1 Thessalonians 5:16 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "Rejoice always.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "Rejoice5463 evermore3842.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is 1 Thessalonians 5:16?
1 Thessalonians 5:16 is 2 words in the WEB translation (15 characters), broken into 1 clause. It is short and well-suited to memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 3 seconds.
How can I memorise 1 Thessalonians 5:16?
To memorise 1 Thessalonians 5:16, split it into its 1 natural clause and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does 1 Thessalonians 5:16 matter in 1 Thessalonians?
1 Thessalonians comforts a young persecuted church with the certainty of Christ's return — that the Lord will descend with a shout, the dead in Christ will rise first, and believers will be caught up "to meet the Lord in the air" (4:16-17). It also urges practical holiness and quiet, hardworking lives. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 sits within this larger story — 1 Thessalonians as a whole emphasises hope, second coming, sanctification.
How can I apply 1 Thessalonians 5:16 today?
Many readers use 1 Thessalonians 5:16 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download 1 Thessalonians 5:16 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
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10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
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Psalms 118:24
“This is the day that Yahweh has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!”
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Psalms 100:4
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, and bless his name.”
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Philippians 4:4
“Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!””
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1 Thessalonians 5:18
“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.”
Read context →
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James 1:17
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.”
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1 Chronicles 16:34
“Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.”
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Nehemiah 8:10
“Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for today is holy to our Lord. Don…”
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Job 1:21
“He said, “Naked I came out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken away. Blessed be Yahweh’s name.””
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Malachi 3:10
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this,” says Yahweh of Armies, “if I will not open you the…”
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Luke 6:38
““Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you meas…”
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More featured verses in 1 Thessalonians 5
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1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.”
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1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Pray without ceasing.”
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1 Thessalonians 5:18
“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.”
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1 Thessalonians 5:24
“He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it.”
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