Lexical Summary eucharistos: Thankful, grateful Original Word: εὐχάριστος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance thankful. From eu and a derivative of charizomai; well favored, i.e. (by implication) grateful -- thankful. see GREEK eu see GREEK charizomai HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2170 eu NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom eu and charizomai Definition thankful NASB Translation thankful (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2170: εὐχάριστοςεὐχάριστος, ἐυχαριστον (εὖ and χαρίζομαι), mindful of favors, grateful, thankful: to God, Colossians 3:15 (Xenophon, Cyril 8, 3, 49; Plutarch; others); pleasing, agreeable (cf. English grateful in its secondary sense): εὐχάριστοι λόγοι, pleasant conversation, Xenophon, Cyril 2, 2, 1; acceptable to others, winning: γυνή εὐχάριστος ἐγείρει ἀνδρί δόξαν, Proverbs 11:16; liberal, beneficent, Diodorus 18, 28. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Context The adjective translated “thankful” in Colossians 3:15 denotes a settled disposition of gratitude toward God. It is not a passing emotion but an enduring posture of the heart that recognizes divine grace in every circumstance. Scriptural Occurrence Colossians 3:15 is the lone New Testament verse employing this exact form: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.” The word appears at the climax of Paul’s appeal that the peace of Christ govern the corporate life of the church; communal harmony is to be accompanied by continual gratitude. Theology of Thankfulness 1. Rooted in grace: Thanksgiving responds to unmerited favor (charis). As grace is foundational to salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9), gratitude is the fitting response (Hebrews 12:28). Relationship to Christian Worship Early believers quickly adopted the cognate noun “eucharist” for the Lord’s Supper, underscoring that the central act of Christian worship is itself an act of thanksgiving for Christ’s atoning work (Luke 22:19). Thus the adjective in Colossians 3:15 reflects the overarching atmosphere in which the church gathers. Connections with Other Biblical Terms • εὐχαριστέω (“to give thanks”) appears frequently in Paul’s letters (for example, Colossians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:18). Practical Implications for Ministry 1. Corporate life: Congregational decision-making should be regulated by Christ’s peace, with thankfulness functioning as both thermometer and thermostat of spiritual health. Historical Insights First-century Greco-Roman society valued reciprocity, yet the Christian concept of perpetual gratitude to the Creator went beyond social obligation. Early apologists highlighted believers’ thankfulness as distinctive evidence of transformed lives. The Didache instructs that the Eucharistic prayer begin with thanksgiving “for the holy vine of David,” mirroring the spirit commanded in Colossians 3:15. Summary Strong’s Greek 2170 underscores that the Christian life is irreducibly thankful. Anchored in the grace of God and indwelt by the peace of Christ, believers are commanded—and enabled—to live in continual gratitude, thereby glorifying God and edifying one another. Forms and Transliterations ευχαριστοι ευχάριστοι εὐχάριστοι ευχάριστος ευχερής ευχερώς eucharistoi eucháristoiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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