by Cathy Vinson

Continuity. A sense of living by something, without allowing a lapse. The theme of "not ceasing" laces through Paul's letter to this precious Thessalonica church.

"Ceasing," as a word, brings together dia (through, between) + leipo (to leave). "Unceasing" therefore means NOT to leave between, NOT to leave an interval, whether of space or time.

1 Th 1:2 Without interruption Paul, Silas and Timothy gave thanks, making mention of this church in prayer.

1 Th 1:3 "Without leaving an interval" to forget, they remembered the church's work of faith and labor of love...

1 Th 2:13 "Without leaving a lapse of time" they thanked God for the church's reception of their word being God's Word.

What does "unceasing" look like? What was it they did not let get inbetween. What interval did they not allow to happen? A picture comes of a taunt clothesline strung between 2 trees. Wind/rain, eat/cold plus heavy, wet clothes over time cause the line to droop. Unceasing means NOT leaving the interval of time and factors for the clothesline to slack. It means to keep the line taunt, as with faith, to keep praying without allowing an interval for doubt or dullness. Vine writes "unceasing" as an adjective is "not of what is not interrupted, but of that which is constantly recuring."

Remembering the Thessalonians without ceasing literally meant constantly calling them to mind. As Paul later encouraged the Philippians to remember whatsoever things were of good report (Phil 4:8), certainly they were practicing this very thing with the Thessalonians!

Later as Paul's letter begins to conclude, he calls them into his same enjoyed state of unceasingness. "Pray WITHOUT CEASING," (5:17) he commands them. Leave no interval without prayer. Do not let the clothesline droop by the lapsing of time. Keep it taunt and those items hung upon it ever rebounding back towards the sky!  

(1 Thes. 1:2)