Ephesians 5:20

“Giving thanks always for all things, &c.] For things temporal, for our beings, and the preservation of them, and for all the mercies of life; for things spiritual, for Christ, and for all spiritual blessings in him; for electing, redeeming, sanctifying, adopting, pardoning, and justifying grace; for a meetness for heaven, and for eternal life itself; for the Gospel, promises, truths, ordinances, and ministry; and this is to be done always, at all times, in times of adversity, desertion, temptation, affliction, and persecution, as well as in prosperity: unto God, and the Father; to God who is, and as he is the Father of mercies, and of all creatures; and as he is the Father of Christ, and of…”

“thanks . . . for all things--even for adversities; also for blessings, unknown as well as known (Col 3:17; Th1 5:18). unto God and the Father--the Fountain of every blessing in Creation, Providence, Election, and Redemption. Lord Jesus Christ--by whom all things, even distresses, become ours (Rom 8:35, Rom 8:37; Co1 3:20-23).”

“Giving thanks always - This is probably designed to be connected with the preceding verse, and to denote that the proper subject of psalms and hymns is thanksgiving and praise. This is indeed always the main design, and should be so regarded; and this part of worship should be so conducted as to keep up in the heart a lively sense of the mercy and goodness of God. For all things - ὑπὲρ πάντων huper pantōn - for all things, or all “persons.” Dr. Barrow supposes that the meaning here is, that they were to give thanks for “all persons,” and to regard themselves as under obligations to give thanks for the mercies bestowed upon “the human race,” in accordance with the idea expressed in the…”

“Giving thanks - At all times and places. And for all things - Prosperous or adverse, since al\] work together for good. In the name of, or through, our Lord Jesus Christ - By whom we receive all good things. Ephesians 5:22”

“thanks: Eph 5:4; Job 1:21; Psa 34:1; Isa 63:7; Act 5:41; Co1 1:4; Phi 1:3, Phi 4:6; Col 1:11, Col 1:12, Col 3:17; Th1 3:9, Th1 5:18; Th2 1:3, Th2 2:13 in: Joh 14:13, Joh 14:14, Joh 15:16, Joh 16:23-26; Col 3:17; Heb 13:15; Pe1 2:5, Pe1 4:11 Ephesians 5:21”