Topical Encyclopedia
The term "thankless" refers to an attitude or behavior characterized by ingratitude or a lack of appreciation. In the biblical context, thanklessness is often associated with a failure to recognize and acknowledge God's blessings, grace, and provision. The Bible emphasizes the importance of gratitude as a fundamental aspect of a faithful life, contrasting it with the negative consequences of a thankless heart.
Biblical References and Themes1.
Ingratitude as a Sign of Ungodliness: The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, highlights thanklessness as a characteristic of those who turn away from God.
Romans 1:21 states, "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts." This passage underscores the connection between ingratitude and a rejection of God's truth, leading to spiritual darkness.
2.
The Call to Thankfulness: Scripture frequently calls believers to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness. In
1 Thessalonians 5:18 , Paul exhorts, "Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." This command highlights thankfulness as an essential aspect of Christian living, reflecting trust in God's sovereignty and goodness regardless of circumstances.
3.
The Example of Jesus: Jesus Christ exemplified a life of gratitude. Before performing miracles, He often gave thanks to the Father. For instance, in the feeding of the five thousand,
John 6:11 records, "Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were seated, as much as they wanted." Jesus' example teaches believers the importance of acknowledging God's provision with a thankful heart.
4.
Consequences of Thanklessness: The Bible warns of the spiritual dangers associated with a thankless attitude. In
2 Timothy 3:1-2 , Paul describes the perilous times of the last days, noting that people will be "lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy." Here, ingratitude is listed among other vices that characterize a society in moral decline.
5.
Thankfulness in Worship: Thankfulness is integral to worship and prayer.
Psalm 100:4 encourages believers to "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name." This verse illustrates how gratitude is foundational to approaching God, fostering a heart of worship and reverence.
6.
The Role of Gratitude in Community: Thankfulness also plays a vital role in fostering unity and love within the Christian community.
Colossians 3:15-17 instructs, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." Gratitude strengthens communal bonds and encourages mutual edification.
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not use the term "thankless" explicitly, the concept is woven throughout Scripture as a warning against ingratitude and a call to cultivate a heart of thankfulness. Through the examples of Jesus, the teachings of the apostles, and the exhortations found in the Psalms, believers are encouraged to recognize and respond to God's grace with gratitude, thereby aligning themselves with His will and experiencing the fullness of life in Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Not acknowledging favors; not expressing thankfulness; unthankful; ungrateful.
2. (a.) Not obtaining or deserving thanks; unacceptable; as, a thankless task.
Greek
884. acharistos -- ungracious, ungrateful... unthankful. From a (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of charizomai;
thankless, ie Ungrateful -- unthankful. see GREEK a. see GREEK charizomai.
...Strong's Hebrew
4497. manon -- perhapsthankless one... 4496, 4497. manon. 4498 . perhaps
thankless one. Transliteration: manon
Phonetic Spelling: (maw-nohn') Short Definition: son. Word
...Library
Ah! Grieve not So.
... And He the lot of each accords. Howthankless art thou, child of man! For favors
that abound;... Number thy limbs, thy members tell,. And ask thythankless soul,....
Hold Your Peace, O Mortals Said Death), a Little While: and be...
... in Sheol."4. Great is the peace I give, unto the wearied: I wax not weary as you,
nor weary them."5. I hear all manner of curses, fromthankless men: the...
Oration on the Palms.
... present. For thesethankless men saw, and by means of His miracles handled
the wonder-working God, and yet remained in unbelief....
The North African Church under the Vandals.
... where He says, that of the ten lepers whom He had cleansed through the power of
His compassion, only one returned to give thanks; while thethankless nine, on...
Five Books in Reply to Marcion.
... 175 To blame: nor e'en one [1365] "save you, hell's new gate!".Thankless, ye choose
to speak ill of your Lord!... Believe Almighty: to thethankless kind....
Of Heathen Repentance.
... of good faith, of love, of simple-heartedness, of patience, of mercy, just in
proportion as any deed prompted by these feelings has fallen onthankless soil....
Talkers and Talking
... Do not be always setting other people right. This is athankless as well as useless
task. They probably do not want your assistance, or they would ask for it....
Excess in Dress, as Well as in Personal Culture, to be Shunned...
... that they prostitute the grace of personal comeliness: so plain is it that if (the
pomps) be wanting, they render (that grace) bootless andthankless, as if it...
Come, Rest Awhile; 'tis Eventide --
... Who spurn His grace. Amid our daily life He bears. Our cold despite andthankless
scorn; As if He gave not rest at eve,. And joy at morn....
Cause to be Heard in Thy Grace, the Tidings of Thy Salvation: for...
... But the man whose life, is preserved through grace, if he goes away to murmur, at
the loss of his goods, he isthankless for the grace, of Him who had pity on...
Thesaurus
Thankless (1 Occurrence)... 2. (a.) Not obtaining or deserving thanks; unacceptable; as, a
thankless task. Multi-Version Concordance
Thankless (1 Occurrence).
...Irreligious (7 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 3:2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty,
profane. They will be disobedient to parents,thankless, irreligious, (WEY)....
Thanking (4 Occurrences)
Thank-offering (5 Occurrences)
Thank-offering.Thankless, Thank-offering. Thank-offerings . Multi-Version
Concordance... (DBY YLT).Thankless, Thank-offering. Thank-offerings ....
Profane (69 Occurrences)
... of money, boastful, haughty, profane. They will be disobedient to parents,
thankless, irreligious, (WEY DBY). Hebrews 12:16 lest...
Haughty (35 Occurrences)
... lovers of money, boastful, haughty, profane. They will be disobedient to
parents,thankless, irreligious, (WEY ASV). James 4:6 But He...
Zedekiah (63 Occurrences)
... prophetic stamp. It was over such an inferior grade of people that Zedekiah
was appointed to athankless and tragic reign. 2. The...
Resources
What did Jesus mean when He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me”? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to speak life? | GotQuestions.orgHow many prophets are in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgThankless: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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