The phrase "Thanks be to God" is commonly used in Christian worship services as a liturgical response used to acknowledge and give thanks for the reading or proclamation of God's Word, typically after a passage from the Bible is read during a church service. It's a way for the congregation to express gratitude for the message and teachings found in the scriptures.
We say 'Thanks be to God' to express gratitude and acknowledge God's role and blessings in our lives. This phrase is a way of giving thanks and recognizing God as the source of all goodness and blessings.
Where is 'Thanks Be To God' in Scripture?
Throughout the Bible we are reminded to gift thanks to God. Being thankful and expressing gratitude is in thoughts and actions. It's important that we express thanksgiving and to always be thankful because of the victory we have as Christians! T
Here are related scripture quotes to give thanks to God:
1 Corinthians 15:55-58 - "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
Psalm 35:18 - "I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you."
1 Chronicles 16:34 - "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."
1 Thessalonians 5:18 - "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
2 Corinthians 2:14 - "But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere."
2 Corinthians 9:15: "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"
2 Corinthians 9: 1-12: "You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God."
Romans 7:25 - "Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Colossians 3:16-17 - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
Psalm 107:8-9: "Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for His wonderful works to humankind. For He satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry He fills with good things."
Psalm 100:4 - "Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name."
1 Timothy 4:4-5 - "For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by God’s word and by prayer."
How to Be Thankful to God
The easiest and Biblical way we can give thanks to God by saying a prayer of gratitude from our hearts. We have gathered a number of powerful Prayers of Thanksgiving to guide you in declaring your appreciation to God.
Furthermore, we can give thanks to God in how we treat others! How can we say we love God and are thankful for Him if we treat our neighbor with contempt and judgment? If we truly love God, we have love for all people, as we are all icons of God, made in His image.
As written in 1 John 4:7-8, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." Christ himself instructed us in the Greatest Commandments, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39)
In loving others as ourselves, we give thanks to God by treating them well. Through helping others in need as we are able, by almsgiving and prayer, we give thanks to God for His love and blessings.
Importance of Gratitude
The importance of 1 Corinthians 15:57 saying "thanks be to God" is that which apostle Paul is giving thanks for. That is, the victory Christ has won, triumphing over death and releasing us from the bonds of sin and death.
Therefore let us say earnestly, "thanks be to God!" Let us live our lives in this victory of Christ. May we truly know and embody His victory by our repentance, love for God, and sincere gratitude to Christ, our Lord and savior!
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Saint Basil the Great advised us to do this as early as the 4th century:
”When you sit down to eat‚ pray. When you eat bread‚ do so thanking Him for being so generous to you. If you drink wine‚ be mindful of Him who has given it to you for your pleasure and as a relief in sickness. When you dress‚ thank Him for His kindness in providing you with clothes. When you look at the sky and the beauty of the stars‚ throw yourself at God’s feet and adore Him who in His wisdom has arranged things in this way. Similarly‚ when the sun goes down and when it rises‚ when you are asleep or awake‚ give thanks to God‚ who created and arranged all things for your benefit‚ to have you know‚ love and praise their Creator.”
To help you in thanking God, we created a 30 Days of Gratitude Prayer Guide HERE. Download and print this guide to keep with you as a reminder of God's love and promises.
Bible Commentary on Why We Thank God
If this triumph of the saints over death should issue in thanksgiving to God: "Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through Christ Jesus, our Lord." The way to sanctify all our joy is to make it tributary to the praise of God. Then only do we enjoy our blessings and honors in a holy manner when God has his revenue of glory out of it, and we are free to pay it to him. And this really improves and exalts our satisfaction. We are conscious at once of having done our duty and enjoyed our pleasure.
Those who remain under the power of death can have no heart to praise; but such conquests and triumphs will certainly tune the tongues of the saints to thankfulness and praise—praise for the victory (it is great and glorious in itself), and for the means whereby it is obtained (it is given of God through Christ Jesus), a victory obtained not by our power, but the power of God; not given because we are worthy, but because Christ is so, and has by dying obtained this conquest for us.
Must not this circumstance endear the victory to us, and heighten our praise to God? Note, How many springs of joy to the saints and thanksgiving to God are opened by the death and resurrection, the sufferings and conquests, of our Redeemer! With what acclamations will saints rising from the dead applaud him! How will the heaven of heavens resound his praises forever! Thanks be to God will be the burden of their song; and angels will join the chorus, and declare their consent with a loud Amen, Hallelujah. (Matthew Henry Commentary)
Conclusion
When you hear "Thanks be to God," let it serve as a reminder of the boundless grace and love that we receive through Jesus Christ. This phrase isn't just a casual expression; it's a declaration of faith, a proclamation of the victory we have in Him. Each new day, regardless of the challenges we face, we can approach with confidence and hope because of the assurance of God's promises.
Through Christ, we are empowered to live lives that are not merely reactive to our circumstances but are proactive in peace and joy. Even in the midst of trials, we can find solace in the knowledge that God is with us, providing strength and comfort. His good gifts—love, mercy, forgiveness, and eternal life—are ever-present and transforming.
Living with a heart full of gratitude and thanksgiving unlocks a profound power within us. It shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have, from our problems to His solutions, from despair to hope. Gratitude cultivates a spirit of joy and contentment, making room for God's peace to dwell richly in our hearts. Embrace the power of gratitude and experience the fullness of a life lived in thanksgiving.
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This article is part of our prayer resources meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
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