The previous verse reveals that Paul is writing the end of this long letter to the Corinthians with his own hand instead of dictating it to someone else. Use of a trained scribe, called an amanuensis, to record dictated words, was common in that era. Paul sometimes did this to emphasize a strong point, which he does with this curse. To contrast this with a more-typical benediction, some refer to this statement as a malediction.

This curse is really a prayer: Let anyone who has no love for the Lord be accursed. The difference between genuine believers and unbelievers—especially false teachers—was true love for Christ. Paul likely was asking God to specially curse those who would come among the Christians in Corinth to lead them away from faith in Christ through false teaching.

Paul follows this with another, even shorter prayer: Our Lord, come! Paul deeply longed for Christ to return and all things to be made right. Christians around the world still join Paul in praying for the Lord's soon return.

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 5/3/2024 12:13:05 AM

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