<p>5:16 <i>Rejoice always</i>- A life of joy cannot be experienced if we are unforgiving and bent on repaying evil (:15). The insistent stress by Paul on the need to live lives worthy of our beliefs is really powerful. He knew that this was the main drawing power for the community. It has often been pointed out that sections of his letters seem to have strong links between them. Consider:</p><div align=center><table border=0 cellspacing=12 cellpadding=0 width=80%>    <tbody>        <tr>            <td>            <p>            1 Thess. 5&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>            </td>            <td>            <p>Rom. 12</p>            </td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td>            <p>:12,13a&nbsp;   &nbsp;</p>            </td>            <td>            <p>Respect   elders</p>            </td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td>            <p>:3-8&nbsp;   &nbsp;</p>            </td>            <td>            <p>Don&rsquo;t   think too highly of yourselves</p>            </td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td>            <p>:13b&nbsp;   &nbsp;</p>            </td>            <td>            <p>Peace   among yourselves</p>            </td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td>            <p>:18&nbsp;   &nbsp;</p>            </td>            <td>            <p>Peace   with all men</p>            </td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td>            <p>:14&nbsp;   &nbsp;</p>            </td>            <td>            <p>Care   for weak and unruly (14:1); Receive the weak</p>            </td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td>            <p>:15&nbsp;   &nbsp;</p>            </td>            <td>            <p>Not   evil for evil, but good to all men</p>            </td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td>            <p>:17&nbsp;   &nbsp;</p>            </td>            <td>            <p>Not   evil for evil, but good to all men</p>            </td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td>            <p>:16&nbsp;   &nbsp;</p>            </td>            <td>            <p>Rejoice   always</p>            </td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td>            <p>:12&nbsp;   &nbsp;</p>            </td>            <td>            <p>Rejoice   in hope</p>            </td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td>            <p>:17&nbsp;   &nbsp;</p>            </td>            <td>            <p>Pray   unceasingly</p>            </td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td>            <p>:17&nbsp;   &nbsp;</p>            </td>            <td>            <p>Continue   in prayer</p>            </td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td>            <p>:19&nbsp;   &nbsp;</p>            </td>            <td>            <p>Don&rsquo;t   quench the Spirit</p>            </td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td>            <p>:11&nbsp;   &nbsp;</p>            </td>            <td>            <p>Fervent   in spirit</p>            </td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td>            <p>:20&nbsp;   &nbsp;</p>            </td>            <td>            <p>Don&rsquo;t   despise prophecy</p>            </td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td>            <p>:6&nbsp;   &nbsp;</p>            </td>            <td>            <p>Prophecy</p>            </td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td>            <p>:21&nbsp;   &nbsp;</p>            </td>            <td>            <p>Test   all things, hold fast to good</p>            </td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td>            <p>:9&nbsp;   &nbsp;</p>            </td>            <td>            <p>Cleave   to good</p>            </td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td>            <p>:22&nbsp;   &nbsp;</p>            </td>            <td>            <p>Avoid   evil</p>            </td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td>            <p>:9&nbsp;   &nbsp;</p>            </td>            <td>            <p>Hate   evil</p>            </td>        </tr>    </tbody></table></div><p>The conclusion from this could be that there was in fact a common document to which Paul is referring- a kind of practical guide to true Christian living that was expected of converts. If this is the case, then the early community would have been committed to being joyful, prayerful, tolerant, peaceful, loving, humble, Bible based, as a fundamental principle. These were what accepting Christ in baptism would have required.</p>