Give Thanks

Greek Word Pronunciation: eu-xa-ris-TAY-oh
Strong’s Number: 2168
Goodrich/Kohlenberger Number: 2373
Key Verse: “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.” --1 Thessalonians 5:18

Three verbs are translated as “give thanks” in the New Testament. The first (anthomologeomai) means “to utter mutually the same things”; thus spoken of two parties, to confess or profess publicly. It is found only once, used of Anna in Luke 2:38, “and she gave thanks the Lord.” The second word (exomologeo) signifies “to make acknowledgment,” whether of sin (to confess), or in the honor of a person. This is the significance in the Lord’s address to the Father, “I praise You” (Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21). He is saying, “I make thankful confession” or “I make acknowledgment with praise.”

The most common verb is eucharisteo, found 37 times in the New Testament. This compound word is comprised of eu, meaning “well,” and charizomai, “to give freely,” denoting gratitude and thankfulness. One negative use is found in Romans 1:21, that “though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” the effect of ingratitude is to render the heart hard and insensible. Christ consistently gave thanks to His Father, as an example for believers to follow. Paul also admonished believers to be thankful to God in Ephesians 5:20, Colossians 1:12 and 3:17, and 1 THESSALONIANS 5:18. We have been called from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light by the special mercy of the Father who had provided the plan of salvation, and His Son sent to redeem us. If we have a heart overflowing with gratitude to God for His mercies, we are likely to perform our duties with the most cheerful fidelity. It is God’s will that we find joy in prayer in Christ Jesus in every condition of life. Thanksgiving is the expression of joy Godward, and is therefore the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).