NOTES for Th1 5:12-28

How can one rejoice by an effort of will? And can one always walk around with an “American smile”? Is this what the Apostle Paul is speaking about? Hardly. This strange joy, which is essentially given as a commandment, is apparently also connected with the following “commandment”: “Pray without ceasing.” There are, of course, traditions of constant verbal prayer, such as the Jesus Prayer in the Eastern Church. But in the Apostle Paul's time there were no such established traditions, which means that he has something else in mind. What? Probably a governing focus: the principal thing in our life at this moment, at every moment. And this principal thing is our relationship with God, a living relationship with a living Person. To remember Him every instant is unceasing prayer, and such a relationship cannot fail to be a source of joy.