I Corinthians 16: 19-24
This is the end of Paul's first letter
to the Corinthians. The form he followed in this letter is to put the
greeting at the end, whereas our method is to put it at the beginning.
The churches of Asia greet you.
He's in Asia, at Ephesus, where he's writing this letter, and he's "introduced" all the believers to all the other believers, so even if they haven't actually met each another, they still have concern for one another, and want to say, "Hello!"
Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord,
This couple knew the people in Corinth, as he had met them in Corinth, where they were living after Claudius commanded all the Jews to leave Rome (Acts 18:2). He stayed with them, because they were tent-makers (Acts 18:3). Then they sailed from Corinth and went to Ephesus with Paul (Acts 18:18-19).
with the church that is in their house.
Aquila and Priscilla wasted no time making new friends in Ephesus, organizing a church congregation to meet in their own home. A house-church.
All the brethren greet you.
Everybody who were believers wanted to be friends with the other believers. This is how we should see one another, as brothers and sisters, even in different parts of the World.
Greet one another with a holy kiss.
The custom was a kiss on each cheek, like the French do today.
The greeting is in my own hand--Paul.
Paul usually had a secretary who wrote his dictation, but he took the pen into his own hand to write this part of the letter, personally.
If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha.
Actually, if anyone does not come to the Lord, he's already cursed, lost. And no one would be able to love the Lord if he doesn't know Him.
Maran atha means, "The Lord has come," an exclamation of the approaching Divine judgment. It can also be expressed as a desire for the Lord to come.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
This is a common blessing extended in approaching or departing. The graciousness of God and our Lord Jesus is His generous care for us every day.
My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
And Paul loved these believers in Corinth. He loved all the believers everywhere, and he cared for all the people wherever they lived, wanting them to know how much God loved them so they could be saved, too. He became a people-lover, and told all the people everywhere about how Jesus died for them and was raised.
Paul was just one person. But he was available to God, to use him however way He wanted. And God used him to plant this new thing called the church all over the World. Even where Paul didn't go personally, he sent others.
He loved God, so he also loved people, because God Loves people.
I am impressed with how all these Christians loved one another even when they had never even met each other. But that is the quality displayed by someone who has known how God has Loved him so extravagantly.
And we as Christians are also to love one another as family members, also.
O my Father, thank You so much for this letter that You had preserved so that we could also read it and learn about all the things You had Paul write. You are so considerate of us, Father, to make sure we could have Your written Word, and to be able to trust that it is still accurate; so we can learn and apply in our own lives today the principles of Love that have undergirded all Your Law and the Prophets, and the Gospels and Epistles, too.
Father, You are Love, and everything You do is from Your Divine Nature of Love. Teach us how to love one another as You have Loved us. Help us to express that love in considering others before we consider our own. Show us how to submit to and serve one another, in our service to You.
Father, all these people in these churches that Paul referenced wanted to say positive things to one another. They were displaying Your Love. And You have showed this to us, so that we also will use our words positively with those we communicate with today, in our relationships. Strengthen us to remember to build one another up with good words, and to refrain from using any negative or critical words, that would tear them down.
When we appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ, He will have no negative words for us, but only what rewards He wants to shower upon us; Your having already poured out the wrath we deserve on Jesus on the Cross.
So we also are being made into the very image of Christ Jesus, and are learning His ways, to use His positive words, and do His positive works in this World, to demonstrate Your righteousness in shining Your Light into the darkness of this World.
And every eye will see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus of Nazareth is our Lord God Almighty, our Sovereign King of the Universe; to the glory of Almighty God the Father, forever and ever.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
