📖 Biblical Definition
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice" (Phil 4:4). Scripture repeatedly commands rejoicing — which means rejoicing is at some level a volitional act, not merely a reactive emotion. "This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Ps 118:24). The command stands even in suffering: "Rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings" (1 Pet 4:13); "Count it all joy... when you meet trials" (Jas 1:2). Christians rejoice because their joy is not outcome-dependent but Person-dependent — the Lord is the reason, and He has not changed.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
RE-JOICE', v.i.
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RE-JOICE', v.i. [Fr. rejoir.] To experience joy in a high degree; to be glad; to exult. In Scripture, rejoicing is repeatedly commanded, even in suffering. Since the command is imperative, rejoicing must be at some level a decision and not merely a feeling; and since the command is possible, there must be a Source of joy that does not depend on circumstances. That Source is the Lord Himself, who is always the reason the Christian can obey the command.
📖 Key Scripture
Philippians 4:4 — "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice."
Psalm 118:24 — "This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
James 1:2-3 — "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness."
1 Peter 4:13 — "But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern culture treats joy as a feeling. Scripture treats it as a command — which means it must be possible regardless of feeling.
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"Rejoice always" is a New Testament command. Commands assume the ability to obey them. Therefore rejoicing is at some level a decision, and it must be possible in any circumstance — including the trials James lists and the sufferings Peter lists. How? Because joy's foundation is not the circumstance but the Person. The Lord has not changed, so the reason for rejoicing has not changed. Rejoice by faith if you cannot rejoice by feeling; the feeling usually follows.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
H8055 — samach. G5463 — chairō.
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H8055 — samach (שָׂמַח) — to rejoice, to be glad.
G5463 — chairō (χαίρω) — to rejoice, to be glad; also basic greeting "rejoice!"
G21 — agalliaō (ἀγαλλιάω) — to exult, to rejoice greatly.
Usage
"Rejoice in the Lord always. Commands assume the ability to obey; rejoicing must be possible in any weather."
"Count it all joy when you meet trials. The math is not "trials plus joy equals nothing"; it is "trials equal raw material for joy.""