1 Thessalonians 5:17
What does 1 Thessalonians 5:17 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Thessalonians 5:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Thessalonians 5:17 means
“Pray without ceasing” urges a life woven through with communion with God. It does not mandate nonstop verbal praying but a persistent, regular practice that keeps the heart turned toward the Lord. Frequent, faithful prayer expresses dependence, invites guidance, and aligns desires with God’s will. In seasons of urgency and in ordinary moments, believers are to keep the lines open, trusting that the God who will bring the Day is also present now. Such praying fuels rejoicing and sustains gratitude, making the Christian life responsive rather than reactive, and grounded in God rather than in circumstances.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000pray without ceasing;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Pray without ceasing.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901pray without ceasing;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Keep on with your prayers.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862continually pray ye;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Pray without ceasing.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890pray unceasingly;
Context
This command stands between rejoicing and thanksgiving, showing how prayer both feeds and is fed by them. It continues the emphasis on inner disciplines that fit those who are of the day. The next verse will round out the triad by charging believers to give thanks in everything, explicitly calling this God’s will in Christ Jesus for them. Then the focus will shift to responsiveness to the Spirit and discernment about prophetic speech (verses 19–22).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 6:18
with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,
- Romans 12:12
rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer;
- Luke 18:1
And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint;
- 1 Peter 4:7
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer:
- Luke 21:36
But watch ye at every season, making supplication, that ye may prevail to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
- Colossians 4:2
Continue stedfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;
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