“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11)
The Basket Case Chronicles #202
“The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss. The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maran-atha. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen” (1 Cor. 16:19–24).
As Paul concludes this letter to the Corinthians, he tells them that all the churches in Asia send their greetings. These would be the churches of Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). Aquila and Priscilla add their greetings, along with the church that met in their home. This tells us that Aquila and Priscilla were probably well-to-do, capable of hosting a full church meeting in their house. All the brethren with Paul send their greetings to Corinth as well. Paul tells the Corinthians to show grace to one another, greeting one another with a holy kiss. Paul signs the letter with a flourish in his own hand, meaning that he had a secretary taking dictation up to this point. He concludes with what we would consider sentiments in tension. If any man does not love Jesus, then may God damn that guy. Anathema is a profound curse. Paul then issues an invitation for the Lord to come (Maranatha). May the grace of the Lord Jesus remain with the Corinthians. And not only does Paul want God’s grace to stay with them, he wants his own love to accompany them as well. And amen to all of it.
Sentiments in tension, indeed, especially if that guy was Jewish; then Paul’s heart desire and prayer for him would be that he be saved. Rom 9:1; 10:1; John 3:17
Thanks.
“Now, now, Paul. Is that how Jesus would have you talk to others? What about their feelings? Does it really advance the Gospel to be so strident and mean?”
Maranatha, y’all.
Definition ἀνάθεμα: something offered up to God.