Col 3:17, 1Th 5:18 | JFB | STEP | 17. Literally, "And everything whatsoever ye do ... do all," &c.; this includes words as well as deeds. in the name of the Lord Jesus-- as disciples called by His name as His, seeking His guidance and help, and desiring to act so as to gain His approval ( ; ; ; ). Compare "in the Lord," , and "Christ is all," . God and the Father-- The oldest manuscripts omit "and," which seems to have crept in from . by him-- Greek, "through Him" as the channel of His grace to us, and of our thanksgiving to Him ( , end).

‏ Colossians 3:17

17. Literally, "And everything whatsoever ye do ... do all," &c.; this includes words as well as deeds.

in the name of the Lord Jesus--as disciples called by His name as His, seeking His guidance and help, and desiring to act so as to gain His approval (Ro 14:8; 1Co 10:31; 2Co 5:15; 1Pe 4:11). Compare "in the Lord," Col 3:18, and "Christ is all," Col 3:11.

God and the Father--The oldest manuscripts omit "and," which seems to have crept in from Ep 5:20.

by him--Greek, "through Him" as the channel of His grace to us, and of our thanksgiving to Him (Joh 14:6, end).

‏ 1 Thessalonians 5:18

18. In every thing--even what seems adverse: for nothing is really so (compare Ro 8:28; Ep 5:20). See Christ's example (Mt 15:36; 26:27; Lu 10:21; Joh 11:41).

this--That ye should "rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, (and) in every thing give thanks," "is the will of God in Christ Jesus (as the Mediator and Revealer of that will, observed by those who are in Christ by faith, compare Php 3:14) concerning you." God's will is the believer's law. Lachmann rightly reads commas at the end of the three precepts (1Th 5:16-18), making "this" refer to all three.