Lesson 487

(Lesson 487)(12-14-12) 1 Corinthians 16:10-24, "Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren. As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time. Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity. I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such. 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 Maranatha. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen."

In this final lesson of Paul's 1st letter to the Corinthians, he admonishes the Church membership to welcome Timotheus and the other evangelists, listing them by name.
Paul left a message with the faithful at Corinth, he said, "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha".

Anathema means "to be accursed or cursed", Paul was saying, If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be cursed, or put away from the group. "Anathema" means "Lord come quickly or come soon" Both words are Aramaic and there is no explanation why they were never translated into English by the scholars of King James selected.

In this text Paul adds the word "Maranatha" right after Anathema without any punctuated separation between the two terms. These two terms used together create a somewhat confusing statement however, I don't believe that was Paul's intent.

Maranatha was used as a greeting and a parting salutation between Christians. I'm confident that it was Paul's intent to enclude a period after Anathema, ending that statement before adding the salutation, Maranatha.~