1 Corinthians 16:22 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.

A solemn closing warning added in his own hand: as in Ephesians 6:24; Colossians 4:18.

The Lord - who ought to be 'loved' above Paul, Apollos, and all other teachers. Love to one another is to flow from love to Him above all. Ignatius, 'Epistola. ad Romanos,' 7, writes, 'My love has been crucified' (cf. Song of Solomon 2:7).

Jesus Christ. So C Delta G f g, Vulgate. But omitted in 'Aleph (').

Let him be Anathema - accursed with that curse which the Jews who call Jesus "accursed" (1 Corinthians 12:3) are bringing righteously on their own heads: doomed to Satan's power. So far from 'saluting,' I bid him be accursed.

Maran-atha - Syriac, the Lord cometh. A watchword to urge to immediate decision for Christ before it is too late; and preparedness in love (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13) for His coming, as in Philippians 4:5.

1 Corinthians 16:22

22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.