Bible Verses About Thankfulness

The Bible commands thankfulness as a spiritual discipline that transforms our perspective and deepens our relationship with God. From giving thanks in all circumstances to entering God's presence with thanksgiving, Scripture reveals gratitude as essential to spiritual life.

7 Verses

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
Paul commands thanksgiving "in" not "for" all circumstances - a crucial distinction. Barnes notes we can "always find something to be thankful for, even in dispensations which appear dark and frowning." Gill emphasizes giving thanks "in adversity, as Job did" and "in afflictions of every kind, since they are all for good." The phrase "this is the will of God" makes thanksgiving non-negotiable. Matthew Poole explains this means thanksgiving is "an acceptable thing to God, and such as he approves well of." Cambridge Bible clarifies God's purpose is that believers grow "perfect in thankfulness, grateful for the bitter as well as for the sweet." Barnes concludes: "Could we see all, we should see that we are never placed in circumstances in which there is not much for which we should thank God" (BibleHub Commentaries).

2. Colossians 3:15-17

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Paul weaves thankfulness throughout Christian life as both command and lifestyle. Meyer's commentary describes Christ's peace as "the holy satisfaction of mind wrought by Christ through the Spirit" that naturally produces gratitude. The Pulpit Commentary notes this peace provides "assurance of future blessedness" prompting thanksgiving. Matthew Henry emphasizes "thanksgiving to God helps to make us agreeable to all men." The triple mention of thankfulness - as command ("be thankful"), in worship ("with thankfulness in your hearts"), and in daily life ("giving thanks") - shows gratitude permeating every aspect. The connection between peace ruling and thankfulness reveals that gratitude flows from Christ's governance in our hearts, not forced religious duty (BibleHub Commentaries).

3. Psalm 100:4

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."
This psalm prescribes thanksgiving as prerequisite for worship. Barnes notes the "gates which lead to his temple" and courts "where his worship was celebrated." Gill interprets gates symbolically as "gates of Zion" and "gates of Wisdom," showing multiple layers of meaning. Matthew Henry suggests thanksgiving stems from recognizing God's mercy, especially for those "brought back to his fold" after wandering. The Pulpit Commentary notes the temple reference may be "metaphorical" extending to "all places of worship." Keil and Delitzsch see this representing "the conversion of all peoples to the God of revelation." Gill emphasizes entering with "thankfulness for all mercies, temporal and spiritual." Barnes summarizes: "Come before him with a grateful heart," establishing thanksgiving as the proper spiritual posture for approaching divine worship (BibleHub Commentaries).

4. Philippians 4:6

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Paul pairs thanksgiving with petition as anxiety's antidote. The Cambridge Bible states "The temper of the Christian should always be one of thanksgiving" and "All prayer ought to include the element of thanksgiving." Bengel calls thanksgiving "the best characteristic of a soul freed from cares" connecting it directly to peace. Barnes explains that even when making requests, Christians should be "thankful for mercies received, benefits conferred, and deliverances vouchsafed." MacLaren emphasizes thanksgiving prevents prayer from becoming purely transactional, noting one should recognize what has already been given. Bengel captures the essence: Thanksgiving is "the best characteristic of a soul freed from cares, and of prayer joined with resignation of the human will." The "with thanksgiving" transforms prayer from demanding to grateful trust (BibleHub Commentaries).

5. Psalm 107:1

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."
This liturgical refrain appears throughout Scripture establishing God's character as thanksgiving's foundation. Barnes notes this psalm specifically addresses "the redeemed of the Lord" (v.2), making it especially relevant for those experiencing God's salvation. The Hebrew "chesed" (steadfast love/mercy) represents covenant faithfulness. Gill emphasizes thanking God "for all his benefits, temporal and spiritual." The causal "for" provides dual reasoning - God's inherent goodness and His enduring love. Matthew Henry observes this psalm teaches us to "observe providences" and give thanks for deliverances. The repetition of this formula throughout Scripture (Psalm 118:1, 136:1, 1 Chronicles 16:34) emphasizes its centrality to Hebrew worship. This establishes thanksgiving not as response to circumstances but to God's unchanging nature (BibleHub Commentaries).

6. Ephesians 5:20

"Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Paul commands comprehensive thanksgiving following the command to be Spirit-filled (v.18). Barnes clarifies "for all things" means "for all the mercies and favors which we have received" and even afflictions when understood as discipline. Gill notes this includes thanks "for all mercies, temporal and spiritual" and even "for all afflictions, as they are overruled for good." The present participle "giving thanks" indicates continuous action. Meyer emphasizes this flows from being Spirit-filled: "the Spirit moves the Christian to give thanks." The phrase "in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" shows all thanksgiving mediated through Christ. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown note: "Thanks for all things, even distresses... we afterward see to have been mercies." This impossible-seeming command becomes possible through the Spirit's enabling power (BibleHub Commentaries).

7. Colossians 2:7

"Rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
Paul links spiritual maturity with abundant thanksgiving. The metaphors progress from agricultural ("rooted") to architectural ("built up") to established faith. Barnes notes "abounding" means "to have a fullness or an overflow" of gratitude. Gill explains this means "to abound in the exercise of grace" particularly thanksgiving. The Greek "perisseuō" implies excess, overflow, superabundance. Vincent's Word Studies emphasizes thanksgiving should "overflow like a fountain." This isn't measured thankfulness but extravagant gratitude. The connection to being "taught" reminds that thanksgiving requires instruction - it's learned behavior in God's kingdom. The progression shows thanksgiving as fruit of spiritual growth, not its beginning. Mature faith naturally overflows in gratitude (BibleHub Commentaries).

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