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That thanksgiving to God is a great and necessary duty becoming all Christians.

I. To open the duty. Here is — First: The substance, or act of it — "Giving thanks." Praise relateth to God's excellencies, thanksgiving to God's benefits. There is a two-fold thanksgiving.

(1) By way of celebration or commemoration, when we speak of God's mercies one to another.

(2) By way of invocation, adoration, or worship, when we express them to God Himself. Secondly: The circumstances of the duty.

1. Of time. "Always." How is this possible?

(1) We must always have a heart prepared and disposed to give thanks.

(2) We must not omit the proper occasions, but must do it frequently and constantly.

(3) "Always," i.e., in all conditions, both in adversity and prosperity.

2. The matter for which we are to give thanks — "For all things." The same extent of the matter we may see in a parallel place (1 Thessalonians 5:18), "In everything give thanks." This universal particle comprehendeth all kinds of mercies, spiritual and temporal mercies. He that is not thankful for the smaller mercies disposeth himself to a stupid carelessness and insensibility of the greatest mercies: "If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?" (Luke 16:11.) A suspected leaky vessel we try with water first, and then with wine. Besides, they all came from the same love, the greater and smaller mercies (Psalm 136:25). Ordinary mercies are our constant diet (Psalm 68:19). Extraordinary mercies are our cordials in a fainting fit (Psalm 77:10).

(4) Positive mercies and privative mercies. Freedom from all the sins and dangers we might have fallen into. Did we know how busy the devil is to hurt us, were it not for the sense of God's providence round about us, we would be more thankful to God. We do not know how many dangers God hath prevented.

(5) We are also to give thanks for others (2 Corinthians 1:11). God's children rejoice in one another's prosperity, and are interested in one another's mercies, as if they were their own (Philippians 2:27).

(6) Mercies in hand and mercies in hope. That argueth a strong faith, affectionately to praise God for mercies in hope as well as mercies in hand (Psalm 31:19). Abraham, when he had not a foot in the land of Canaan, built an altar and offered thank offerings to God (Genesis 13:18); so God's children "rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:2; 1 Peter 1:8).Though we do not simply give thanks for the evil, yet we may give thanks for the good that is mixed with them; that is to say —

(1) For the mixture (Job 2:10). He taketh away opportunities of service, but it is a mercy that He continued them so long.

(2) For the mitigation; it might have been worse (Ezra 9:13; Lamentations 3:39).

(3) For the fruit and profit; if it be not good in itself, it turneth to good (Romans 8:28; Psalm 119:71).

(4) For the final issue, that God may be glorified (1 Peter 4:14), and we rewarded (Matthew 5:12).

3. The object to whom this religious worship is to be tendered — "To God and the Father" (so Colossians 3:17).

4. The manner or means — "In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Why must thanksgiving be made in Christ's name?

(1) Because there is more of God discovered in Christ than elsewhere (2 Corinthians 4:6). In creation man was made like God, but in redemption God was made like man.

(2) Christ is the only Mediator to convey blessings to us and our services to God; for He is our High Priest and Intercessor. As our High Priest He procured all our mercies for us by His oblation; and by His intercession He conveyeth them to us (Hebrews 8:2).

(3) He hath required this duty from us (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

(4) Because all our mercies come to us as the fruit of Christ's death, as wrapped in His bowels, as swimming in His blood, as the fruit of His purchase.

II. How necessary, profitable, and becoming Christians this duty is.

1. How necessary a duty it is appeareth —

(1) By the light of nature. Ingratitude is counted an unnatural sin (2 Timothy 3:2, 3).

(2) By His express will revealed in the Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

2. How necessary a duty it is appeareth by the great profit that cometh of it.

(1) To keep us always in a remembrance of God, and that invisible hand that teacheth out all our supplies to us.

(2) The observation and acknowledgment of His benefits breedeth in us a love to God (1 John 4:19).

(3) It doth encourage our hope.

3. How necessary a duty it is appeareth because it prevents many sins.

(1) Hardness of heart and security in enjoying the blessings of God's common providence.

(2) It suppresseth murmuring, or that querulous, fretting, impatient humour which venteth itself even in our prayers and complaints, and soureth all our comforts.

(3) It preventeth distrust and carking cares (Philippians 4:6).

(4) it cureth spiritual pride when we consider who is to be praised for all the good that is in us. They that have more than others are more indebted to grace.Use 1. Is it such a duty? Then take heed of impediments and enemies to thankfulness.

(1)  A proud heart.

(2)  A fleshly mind.Use

2. Is our thanksgiving right?

(1)  If the heart be brought near to God by every mercy we receive from Him (Psalm 96:8).

(2)  If it breed a great delight in God (Psalm 37:4).

(3)  If it be a cheerful, thankful obedience (Romans 12:1; John 14:15).

(T. Manton, D. D.)

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KJV: Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

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