16– 22. From social duties the Apostles now pass to inculcate certain more directly religious duties. ‘ At all times cherish a spirit of joyfulness; in unceasing prayer make known your every want; under all circumstances give thanks to God: for only in these ways can God’ s purposes for you in Christ Jesus be fulfilled. With regard to the gifts of the Spirit, see to it that you do not quench them, or make light of prophesyings. At the same time do not accept these without discrimination. Rather bring everything to the test, and thus keep firm hold of the genuine, while you abstain from evil in whatever form it appears.’ 16. πάντοτεχαίρετε] an injunction striking the same glad note that is so often repeated in the Ep. to the other Macedonian Church (Philippians 2:18; Philippians 3:1; Philippians 4:4), its significance in the present instance being much increased in view of the sufferings already spoken of (1:6, 2:14, 3:2 ff.). For the paradox cf. Romans 5:3, 2 Corinthians 6:10, and for the true source of this joy see our Lord’ s own words John 15:11; John 16:24; John 17:13. Leighton’ s words (cited by Dods) may be recalled: ‘ All spiritual sorrows, of what nature soever, are turned into spiritual joy: that is the proper end of them; they have a natural tendency that way.’ An interesting ex. of the spirit of joy ruling in the early Church is afforded by the names found in the inscriptions— Victor, Nice, Gaudentius, Gaudiosus, Hilaris, Hilaritas (Ramsay C. and B. 1. p. 493). See also Stanley Christian Institutions (1881) p. 250 f.