Ephesians 5:20

New King James Version

giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

Legacy Standard Bible
always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

Simplified Cowboy Version
Be thankful every moment of every day.

Bible in Basic English
Giving praise at all times for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God, even the Father;

Darby Translation
giving thanks at all times for all things to him [who is] God and [the] Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Christian Standard Bible®
giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

World English Bible
giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, to God, even the Father;

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Giving thanks always for all things to God even the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Weymouth's New Testament
Always and for everything let your thanks to God the Father be presented in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

King James Version (1611)
Giuing thankes alwayes for all things vnto God, and the Father, in the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ,

Literal Translation
giving thanks at all times for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, even to God the Father,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
geuynge thankes alwayes for all thinges vnto God the father, in the name of oure LORDE Iesus Christ,

Mace New Testament (1729)
and this the burthen of the song, "thanks be to God, even the father, for his son Jesus Christ our Lord."

Amplified Bible
always giving thanks to God the Father for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

American Standard Version
giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

Revised Standard Version
always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
gevinge thankes all wayes for all thinges vnto God the father in the name of oure Lorde Iesu Christ:

Update Bible Version
giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

Webster's Bible Translation
Giving thanks always for all things to God and the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Young's Literal Translation
giving thanks always for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the God and Father;

New Century Version
Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

New English Translation
always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Berean Standard Bible
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Contemporary English Version
Always use the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to thank God the Father for everything.

Complete Jewish Bible
always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah.

English Standard Version
giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Geneva Bible (1587)
Giuing thankes alwaies for all thinges vnto God euen the Father, in the Name of our Lorde Iesus Christ,

George Lamsa Translation
Giving thanks always for all men to God the Father in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ.

Hebrew Names Version
giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord, Yeshua the Messiah, to God, even the Father;

International Standard Version
You will always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.Psalm 34:1; Isaiah 63:7; Colossians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; Hebrews 13:15; 1 Peter 2:5; 4:11;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
And give thanks always on behalf of every man in the name of our Lord Jeshu Meshiha unto Aloha the Father.

Murdock Translation
And give thanks to God the Father, at all times, for all men, in the name of our Lord Jesus the Messiah.

New Living Translation
And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

New Life Bible
Always give thanks for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

English Revised Version
giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

New Revised Standard
giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Giving thanks, always, for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto your God and Father;

Douay-Rheims Bible
Giving thanks always for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God and the Father:

King James Version
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Lexham English Bible
giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to the God and Father,

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Geuing thankes alwayes for all thinges vnto God and the father, in ye name of our Lorde Iesus Christe,

Easy-to-Read Version
Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

New American Standard Bible
always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father;

Good News Translation
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, always give thanks for everything to God the Father.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
euermore doynge thankingis for alle thingis in the name of oure Lord Jhesu Crist to God and to the fadir.

Contextual Overview

³ But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; ⁴ neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. ⁵ For this you know, [fn] that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷ Therefore do not be partakers with them. ⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the Spirit [fn] is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), ¹⁰ finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. ¹¹ And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹² For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

thanks: Ephesians 5:4, Job 1:21, Psalms 34:1, Isaiah 63:7, Acts 5:41, 1 Corinthians 1:4, Philippians 1:3, Philippians 4:6, Colossians 1:11, Colossians 1:12, Colossians 3:17, 1 Thessalonians 3:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, 2 Thessalonians 1:3, 2 Thessalonians 2:13

in: John 14:13, John 14:14, John 15:16, John 16:23-26, Colossians 3:17, Hebrews 13:15, 1 Peter 2:5, 1 Peter 4:11

Reciprocal: Leviticus 7:12 - a thanksgiving 2 Samuel 23:1 - sweet psalmist Psalms 27:6 - I will Psalms 57:7 - I will Psalms 69:31 - also shall Psalms 71:6 - my praise Psalms 113:1 - O Isaiah 26:1 - this song Matthew 26:30 - when Romans 1:8 - through Romans 7:25 - thank God 1 Corinthians 1:14 - thank 1 Corinthians 5:4 - the name 1 Corinthians 15:57 - thanks 2 Corinthians 2:14 - thanks 2 Corinthians 9:15 - Thanks Colossians 2:7 - with Colossians 3:15 - and be 1 Timothy 2:1 - and

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Giving thanks always for all things,.... For things temporal, for our beings, and the preservation of them, and for all the mercies of life; for things spiritual, for Christ, and for all spiritual blessings in him; for electing, redeeming, sanctifying, adopting, pardoning, and justifying grace; for a meetness for heaven, and for eternal life itself; for the Gospel, promises, truths, ordinances, and ministry; and this is to be done always, at all times, in times of adversity, desertion, temptation, affliction, and persecution, as well as in prosperity:

unto God, and the Father; to God who is, and as he is the Father of mercies, and of all creatures; and as he is the Father of Christ, and of all the elect in him:

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; for all the mercies of God's people, both temporal and spiritual, come through him, and for his sake; and thanksgivings for them are only acceptable to God as they are offered up by him; nor is there any other way of bringing them to God, but through him: this duty, as it stands connected with the former, shows that praise and thanksgiving are the principal subject matter of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, to be sung; and that the manner of singing is with thanksgiving; and that the end of it is to give thanks to God.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Giving thanks always - This is probably designed to be connected with the preceding verse, and to denote that the proper subject of psalms and hymns is thanksgiving and praise. This is indeed always the main design, and should be so regarded; and this part of worship should be so conducted as to keep up in the heart a lively sense of the mercy and goodness of God.

For all things - ὑπὲρ πάντων huper pantōn - for all things, or all “persons.” Dr. Barrow supposes that the meaning here is, that they were to give thanks for “all persons,” and to regard themselves as under obligations to give thanks for the mercies bestowed upon “the human race,” in accordance with the idea expressed in the Liturgy of the Episcopal church, “We, thine unworthy servants, do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for thy goodness and loving-kindness to us, and to all men.” This idea is beautiful: and it accords with the requirements of the Scriptures elsewhere; 1 Timothy 2:1. “I exhort, therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all people. Such is the duty of Christians; and I see no departure from the fair meaning of the words here, in supposing that the apostle may have designed to express such an idea. The sense, according to this, would be, that we are to praise God for his general mercy to mankind; for all the happiness which mortals are permitted to enjoy; for the love of God to mankind in creation, in providence, and in redemption - just as a grateful child will give thanks for all the kindness shown to his brothers and sisters One obvious effect of this would be to overcome “selfishness,” and to make us rejoice in the happiness of others as well as in our own.

Another effect would be to make us feel a deeper interest in the condition of our fellow creatures. Another would be to elevate and enlarge our conceptions of the goodness of God - directing the mind to all the favors which he has bestowed on the race. Man has much for which to be grateful; and the duty of acknowledging the mercy of God to the race should not be forgotten. We are often prone so to magnify our calamities, and to contemplate the woes of the race, that we overlook the occasions for gratitude; and we should, therefore, look upon the “mercies” which we enjoy as well as the miseries which we endure, that our hearts may be right. He who looks only on his trials will soon find his mind soured and complaining; he who endeavors to find how many occasions for gratitude he has, will soon find the burden of his sorrows alleviated, and his mind tranquil and calm. Yet, if the words here are to be taken as in our translation, “for all things.” they are full of force and beauty. At the close of life, and in heaven, we shall see occasion to bless God for all his dealings with us. We shall see that we have not suffered one pang too much, or been required to perform one duty too severe. We shall see that all our afflictions, as well as our mercies were designed for our good, and were needful for us. Why then should we not bless God in the furnace as well as in the palace; on a bed of pain as well as on a bed of down; in want as well as when sitting down at the splendid banquet? God knows what is best for us; and the way in which he leads us, mysterious though it seem to be now, will yet be seen to have been full of goodness and mercy.

Unto God and the Father - Or, “to God, even the Father.” It cannot mean to God as distinguished from the Father, or first to God and then to the Father, as if the Father were distinct from God. The meaning is, that thanks are to be given specially to God the Father - the great Author of all mercies, and the source of all blessings.

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ - That is, through his mediation, or trusting in him; see the notes on John 14:13. The meaning is, that we are “always” to approach God through the mediation of the Lord Jesus. When we ask for mercy, it is to be on his account, or through his merits; when we plead for strength and grace to support us in trial, it is to be in dependence on him; and when we give thanks, it is to be through him, and because it is through his intervention that we receive all blessings, and by his merits that even the gratitude of beings so sinful as we are can be accepted.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 20. Giving thanks always — God is continually loading you with his benefits; you deserve nothing of his kindness; therefore give him thanks for his unmerited bounties.

God and the Father — That is: God, who is your Father, and the Father of mercies. See the observations on the Greek article at the end of this epistle. "Ephesians 6:24"

In the name of our Lord Jesus — He is the only mediator; and through him alone can ye approach to God; and it is for his sake only that God will hear your prayers or receive your praises.