When we think about thankfulness, it’s often tied to specific moments of blessing - a promotion at work, family gatherings, or the answer to a difficult situation. Gratitude feels natural in those moments when life aligns with our desires. However, Paul’s approach to thankfulness in his epistles challenges this surface-level understanding. For Paul, thankfulness was not just an occasional response but a defining characteristic of his life and ministry.
Across his letters to the early churches, Paul’s expressions of gratitude reveal a heart anchored in God’s grace and sovereignty. His writings flow with thanksgiving even as he faced hardships, persecution, and personal challenges. By examining these moments, we can learn how to cultivate a life of thankfulness, regardless of our circumstances.
Thankfulness for others
One of the most striking aspects of Paul’s thankfulness is how often it centers on others. Time and again, Paul begins his letters by thanking God for the faith, love, and growth of the people to whom he writes:
- “I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Corinthians 1:4 NASB1995)
- “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.” (Philippians 1:3-5)
- “We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints.” (Colossians 1:3-4)
Paul’s gratitude wasn’t contingent on the perfection of these communities. Many of these churches had significant issues - division in Corinth, legalism in Galatia, and confusion in Thessalonica, to name a few. Yet Paul chose to focus on the evidence of God’s work in their lives. He celebrated their faith, love for one another, and partnership in the gospel, even as he addressed their challenges.
Do we practice thankfulness for the people in our lives, even when they fall short? Like Paul, we can learn to see others through the lens of God’s grace, focusing on their growth and potential rather than their flaws.
Thankfulness in adversity
Paul’s gratitude wasn’t reserved for easy times. In fact, some of his most powerful expressions of thankfulness came from places of deep trial. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul speaks of a “thorn in the flesh” that God allowed to remain in his life despite his repeated prayers for its removal. Rather than growing bitter, Paul responded with thankfulness for God’s sustaining grace:
“And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 2:14, Paul declares:
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.”
Paul’s life was marked by physical suffering, rejection, imprisonment, and constant danger. Yet he chose to see these difficulties as opportunities to display God’s power and spread His message. His thanksgiving wasn’t based on comfort but on confidence in God’s purposes.
Do we find it challenging to give thanks when life is hard? Paul’s example reminds us that gratitude isn’t about denying our struggles but trusting that God’s grace is sufficient in everything.
Thankfulness as a sacrifice
Paul’s understanding of thanksgiving aligns with the biblical concept of it as a sacrifice. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, he writes:
“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Notice he doesn’t say to give thanks for everything, but in everything. This subtle yet profound distinction points to the sacrificial nature of genuine gratitude. To give thanks in loss, pain, or uncertainty requires faith. It means surrendering our complaints, fears, and desires to God and acknowledging He is still good and sovereign.
Paul lived this sacrificial thanksgiving, whether he was thanking God for the provision of faithful partners in the gospel (Philippians 1:5), for deliverance through prayer (2 Corinthians 1:11), or for the indescribable gift of salvation (2 Corinthians 9:15). For Paul, thanksgiving was a daily act of worship that drew him closer to God.
Are we willing to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving when life is difficult? Genuine gratitude isn’t always easy, but it is a powerful act of trust and worship.
Thankfulness anchored in God’s eternal plan
Paul’s ultimate source of gratitude was his unshakable confidence in God’s eternal plan. He recognized that everything - both the joys and the struggles of life - was part of God’s redemptive work. This eternal perspective fueled his thanksgiving, as seen in Ephesians 1:3-4:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.”
Paul frequently reminded his readers of the riches they had in Christ - salvation, adoption into God’s family, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the hope of eternal life. These truths gave him reason to rejoice, even while suffering.
Do we anchor our gratitude in the eternal promises of God? When we focus on His grace, mercy, and love, our daily concerns begin to fade in comparison.
Living out Paul’s example of thankfulness
Paul’s life demonstrates that thankfulness is not dependent on circumstances but on a heart aligned with God. Here are a few ways we can follow his example:
- Pray with gratitude: Paul’s prayers were consistently filled with thanksgiving. Take time to thank God in your prayers - not just for blessings but for the people, challenges, and opportunities He has placed in your life.
- Thank others: Paul often expressed gratitude for the people around him. Make it a habit to thank those who have impacted your life, whether through their faith, kindness, or support.
- Trust God’s sovereignty: Paul’s gratitude in adversity was rooted in his trust that God was in control. When life is hard, remind yourself that God’s grace is sufficient and that He is working for your good.
- Focus on eternity: Let God's promises shape your perspective. When you remember the depth of His love and the hope of eternal life, gratitude naturally overflows.
Paul’s letters remind us that thankfulness is more than a fleeting emotion - it is a discipline, a perspective, and an act of worship. Whether we are celebrating life’s blessings or walking through its valleys, we can choose gratitude, knowing that God is faithful and His grace is sufficient.
