· Translation: KJV

Ephesians 5:20giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God, even the Father;

The setting

Rome, ~60 AD. Paul writes from house arrest, chained to a Roman guard, yet teaching gratitude...

The emotion here: chained but choosing joy, writing from imprisonment with genuine thanksgiving

The original word

eucharisteo (εὐχαριστέω) — to give grace, acknowledge God's favor even in difficulty

Why it matters

Paul wrote this while awaiting trial that could result in execution

Read with care

What most readers miss in Ephesians 5:20

Paul says 'concerning all things' not 'for all things' — thanking God IN circumstances, not necessarily FOR them

Common misconceptionPeople think this means being thankful FOR bad things happening. Paul is teaching gratitude IN all circumstances, acknowledging God's presence even when life hurts.

Bible Genome reading

Ephesians 5:20 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerPaul
Eraearly_church
Primary emotiongrateful
Literary typeteaching
MarkCommand

Emotional genome

Comfort power80%
Quotability80%
Memorability80%
Crisis relevance60%
Standalone70%
Themes:gratitudethanksgivingprayer

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open Ephesians 5

Ephesians 5:20 comes from the book of Ephesians, written during the early_church period. These words are attributed to Paul. The dominant emotion in this verse is grateful, with a comfort power of 80% and a tone that is joyful. It belongs to the teaching genre of biblical literature. Key themes include gratitude, thanksgiving, prayer. Notable phrases: giving thanks always; concerning all things; in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. This verse contains a command.

Your reflection

What does Ephesians 5:20 mean to you, today?

A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.

Speak your heart →

Get 3 verses for "grateful"

Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.