The verse divisions in this section are inconsistent. The three imperatives in these verses are no more and no less closely linked than the four imperatives of verse 14. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus refers to all the imperatives, not alone to be thankful in all circumstances.

Be joyful always. Paul has already mentioned the joy of the Thessalonian Christians (1.6) and the joy he had received from them (2.20; 3.9). There is nothing contradictory about his now telling them to be joyful; it is another example of the “do even more” motif which occurs in various passages (e.g. 4.10). In some languages it is anomalous to command anyone to be joyful, since the experience of joy is regarded as being dependent upon outside circumstances over which one has no control. The implication of Paul’s statement is that real joy depends upon one’s relation to God, which is permanent and unchanging. Since the Thessalonians were admonished to give evidence to this important and lasting relation, an equivalent in some languages may be “always wear a happy face,” “let your happy heart be known,” or “let the song within your insides be heard.”

Pray at all times is literally (King James Version) “pray without ceasing.” There is an element of rhetorical exaggeration here, as in Romans 12.12 and Colossians 4.2 (cf. Ephesians 6.18). Rigaux comments: “(Paul) does not ask them to recite prayers all day long; he asks that they should feel the need of turning to God, not only when important things are happening but at all times.” Paul means “never give up praying” (cf. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). Pray is a general term which includes all forms of prayer, not only petition and intercession for oneself and others. In order to avoid the implication that the believer should be constantly in prayer to God, one may say “be ready to speak to God at all times,” or “speak to God on any and all occasions.”

Be thankful (cf. 1.2; 3.9). In translation it may be necessary to specify that the thanksgiving is addressed to God. Circumstances is not explicit in the text, and it is equally possible that “at all times” is intended. The Greek is quite general, and the translation should therefore not be too narrow in its reference. The meaning of verses 16, 17, and 18 is closely parallel, though for stylistic reason the words are different in the original. Be thankful in all circumstances may be equivalent in some languages to “be thankful to God regardless of circumstances,” or “… despite whatever may happen.”

This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus. This sentence raises two problems, the first related to from you and the second related to in union with Christ Jesus. Revised Standard Version reflects the form of the Greek.

On the first question, translators are generally divided into three groups. The first group, represented by Good News Translation Jerusalem Bible Knox Barclay Translator’s New Testament (cf. Bijbel in Gewone Taal Bible en français courant Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch Biblia Dios Habla Hoy), thinks that Paul is speaking about what God demands of or from the Thessalonians, namely, a life full of joy, prayer, and thanksgiving. Translator’s New Testament, for example, translates “this is what God wants you to do as Christians.” The second group, represented by Revised Standard Version Moffatt Phillips New English Bible Zürcher Bibel, thinks that Paul is referring to what God wills for them, that is, what he intends and makes possible for them. New English Bible, for example, translates, “this is what God in Christ wills for you.” The third group, including King James Version (cf. Luther 1984 Le Nouveau Testament. Version Synodale La Sainte Bible: Nouvelle version Segond révisée Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), chooses a vague compromise solution, “this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

The first solution fits in well with Paul’s long series of imperatives and makes a good transition to verse 19: “This is what God expects of you; (19) therefore….” On the other hand, the second solution also makes a good transition to verse 19. On this interpretation, verses 18b-19 would describe, not what is required from the Thessalonians, but (like 1.3-6 on a wider scale) what becomes possible through the working together of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The second alternative is also a slightly more natural translation of the Greek. However, Good News Bible‘s solution cannot be ruled out. The third solution tends to produce an unclear translation with less impact than the original, in which from you or “for you” is in an emphatic position at the end of the sentence.

The translator’s decision on this first problem will influence his translation of “in Christ Jesus.” Good News Translation‘s in your life is not explicit in the text. The choice is between (1) linking “in Christ Jesus” with “God” or “will of God” and (2) linking this phrase with “you.” The first alternative would fit in better with New English Bible‘s solution of the first problem; the second alternative would be more natural if Good News Bible‘s solution of the first problem were chosen. The options may be summarized as follows: (see diagram|fig:Table_1TH5-16.htm)

If A is chosen, other possibilities, in addition to Good News Translation‘s in your life in union with Christ Jesus, are Barclay‘s “the way in which God wishes you who are Christians to live,” Bible en français courant‘s “your life with Jesus Christ,” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch‘s “that is what God wants from those who are bound together with Jesus Christ,” or simply “from those who belong to Jesus Christ.”

This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus may be require some restructuring, for example, “this is how God wants you to live as persons who belongs to Christ Jesus.” This latter expression may be necessary since “in Christ Jesus” may seem quite meaningless. If one attempts to follow the New English Bible interpretation, namely, “this is what God in Christ wills for you,” a problem arises since the three admonitions which immediately precede are not things which are given to persons, but things which the persons themselves should do. The equivalent would be more or less “this is the kind of experience which God wants for you.” The phrase “in Christ” would then express that this is the provision which God, who was in Christ or who operated through Christ, was desirous of providing for the believers. In some languages the closest equivalent may be “God did this by means of Christ,” or “God does this by means of Christ.”

“Jesus Christ” and Christ Jesus are commonly used by Paul without any distinction of meaning; the translator should feel free to use the more natural order in the receptor language. Christ here, as normally in Paul’s writings, is a name, not the title “Messiah,” (see the notes on 1.1).

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1976. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .