1 Corinthians 16:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand.

NIV: I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.

NASB: The greeting is in my own hand— that of Paul.

CSB: This greeting is in my own hand--Paul.

NLT: HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING — PAUL.

KJV: The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.

NKJV: The salutation with my own hand—Paul’s.

Paul and other New Testament writers often dictated their letters to an amanuensis, someone hired to write while they spoke the words of the letter. Until computer technology became widespread, it was common for people trained in writing—or typing—to record the words of someone else. Winston Churchill, for example, wrote the first drafts of his own books in much the same way.

Paul regularly took up the pen himself to write a few lines. This might have been to validate that the letter was really from him (2 Thessalonians 3:17), to make his sign-off more personal (Colossians 4:18), or emphasize a strongly-worded point (Galatians 6:11). His choice to write in his own hand at the end of this letter would have accomplished all three of these. His malediction—in contrast to a benediction—in the following verse contains a strong curse against those who do not love the Lord.

First Corinthians 16:19–24 concludes Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth. These are final greetings from the churches in Asia, from their friends Aquila and Prisca, and from believers elsewhere. Paul writes the last lines with his own hand, taking the pen from his scribe. He curses those who do not love the Lord—meaning false teachers—then prays for Christ's return, and prays for the grace of the Lord to be with them. His final words declare his love for all of them in Christ Jesus.

Having finished the main teaching parts of his letter, Paul wraps up with some matters of business. He tells the Corinthians how to gather funds for a special contribution. He describes his travel plans, including his plan to arrive there before winter. He warns them to treat Timothy well and commends a delegation from Corinth that have come to see him. He concludes with greetings from other believers, along with a curse and a blessing. He curses those who do not love the Lord—here apparently meaning false teachers—and prays the grace of the Lord on everyone else.

First Corinthians 16 concludes Paul's long letter to the church in Corinth with several business matters. He instructs them on how to prepare a special contribution for needy Christians in Jerusalem. He describes his plan to visit them in person after wrapping up his ministry in Ephesus and stopping by churches in Macedonia. He reveals that Timothy is coming to them more quickly and that Apollos is not. Finally, he commends a delegation from Corinth that has come to see him. His final words in the letter are a declaration of love for all of them.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.

Accessed 5/5/2024 6:25:54 PM