Today I want to introduce you to a word you've probably never heard or seen before. The word is asyndeton. It refers to the omission of conjunctions from a construction that would normally have them. A well-known example is, "I came, I saw, I conquered." Well, in 1 Thess. 5:16-18, we find Paul writing three sentences that have no formal grammatical connections between them:
Always rejoice.
Pray without ceasing.
In everything give thanks.
No conjunctions are present here (obviously), but that doesn't mean that there are no logical connections going on. Let me explain.
"Always rejoice." Paul is referring to genuine joy. There is nothing more pleasant than to see a Christian who is contagiously happy. This is more than mere human optimism. It is a Spirit-enabled life lived above circumstances rather than succumbing to the gloomy, grim drag of existence. Someone has said that joy is the surest sign of God's presence. I believe it.
Now let's move on to verse 17. Remember, all these commands are joined together like links in a chain. Verse 17 gives us the path to joy. Paul says the only way to have a head of joy is to have a heart free of burdens. And how do we release our burdens? It's simple. We pray. Prayer is simply communication with God. It involves many things, but among them is a regular release of the load to the Lord. It never fails. When I pray, I say to the Father, "Lord, help me. I can't carry this burden any longer. So I release it to you." When I do this, it's like being freed from a heavy anchor dragging me down.
Finally, observe verse 18: "In everything give thanks." When we rejoice in the Lord because we've released our burdens to him in prayer, the result is gratitude.
Clear?
Now I want you to see how Paul develops this exact pattern of thought in one of his other letters. In Phil. 4:4-6, Paul writes (NLT):
"Alway be full of joy. I say it again -- rejoice. Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon." That's the "Always rejoice" of 1 Thess. 5:16!
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything." That's the "Pray without ceasing" of 1 Thess. 5:17!
"Tell God what you need, and don't forget to thank him for his answers." That's the "In everything give thanks" of 1 Thess. 5:18!
Isn't that fantastic?
You probably know that my mission in the past 50 years has been to help my fellow believers to become spiritually self-sustaining. At the very heart of Bible study are 3 steps that anyone can do -- not just seminarians, but you and me:
1. Observation: "What does the text say?"
2. Interpretation: "What does the text mean?"
3. Application: "How does the text relate to my daily walk with God?"
When you open your Bible and begin to read a passage like 1 Thess. 5:16-18, I suggest that you read the verses as if you're reading them for the very first time. Read thoughtfully. Read carefully. Notice details like what is said (conjunctions) and what is not said (asyndeton). Go over the text again and again. You'll be amazed by what you see that you missed the first time you read the passage. Immerse yourself in the context of Scripture. That's essential for understanding and applying the meaning.
Remember, Bible study is for everyone. There are no bench players in Christianity. God calls all of us to actively participate and become totally committed to careful, deep Bible study. If you're not there yet, it's time to get off the bench and into the game!