19The assemblies of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you in the Lord, heartily, along with the assembly at their house. [16:20] All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. [16:21] The greeting by my own hand, of Paul. [16:22] If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed. Marana tha. [16:23] The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. [16:24] My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen. To the Corinthians, the first letter was written from Philippi through Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus and Timothy.
1CO 16:19-24
Signature and Final Greetings
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Greco-Roman world, greetings were more than polite formalities; they were deeply embedded in the social fabric of honor and kinship. The mention of Aquila and Prisca greeting the Corinthians 'with the church in their house' reflects the early Christian practice of meeting in private homes, which were central hubs for communal worship and fellowship. The 'holy kiss' was a culturally significant gesture, symbolizing familial unity and mutual respect within the community, akin to the Roman practice of the 'osculum' among family members. Paul’s personal greeting 'by my own hand' underscores his authority and personal connection to the Corinthians, a common practice in epistolary culture to authenticate the sender’s identity. The phrase 'If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed' carries a weighty connotation, invoking divine judgment and separation, a stark contrast to the communal affection expressed earlier. The closing 'Marana tha' (Aramaic for 'Come, Lord') reflects the eschatological hope of early Christians, rooted in Jewish apocalyptic expectation.
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How other translations render this
1CO 16:19
- KJV
- The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
- BSB
- The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.
- Koinōnos
- The assemblies of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you in the Lord, heartily, along with the assembly at their house.
1CO 16:20
- KJV
- All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.
- BSB
- All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
- Koinōnos
- All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
1CO 16:21
- KJV
- The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.
- BSB
- This greeting is in my own hand—Paul.
- Koinōnos
- The greeting by my own hand, of Paul.
1CO 16:22
- KJV
- If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
- BSB
- If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be under a curse. Come, O Lord!
- Koinōnos
- If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed. Marana tha.
1CO 16:23
- KJV
- The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
- BSB
- The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
- Koinōnos
- The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
1CO 16:24
- KJV
- My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
- BSB
- My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.
- Koinōnos
- My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen. To the Corinthians, the first letter was written from Philippi through Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus and Timothy.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
1CO 16:19
- Greet:The word translated 'greet' here implies a warm, personal welcome, often involving an embrace or other physical expression of affection, not just a verbal acknowledgment.
- churches:The term translated 'churches' refers to an assembly or gathering of citizens, not necessarily a building or a formal religious institution as we might understand 'church' today.
1CO 16:20
- a kiss:The phrase 'a kiss' refers to a common social greeting among equals in the ancient world, signifying peace, unity, and mutual respect, not necessarily romantic affection.
1CO 16:22
- Christ:The word translated 'Christ' here carries the sense of something or someone utterly devoted to destruction or set apart for divine judgment, often with the implication of being cursed.