Studies in 1 Corinthians Final Exhortations 1 Corinthians

Studies in 1 Corinthians Final Exhortations 1 Corinthians 16: 19 -24

Greetings from Asia (19) • 1 Corinthians believed to have been written from Ephesus (Ac. 20: 31, 1 Cor. 16: 8) • Many churches in Asia (Rev. 1: 4, 11, etc. )

Greetings from Asia (19) • Lesson: While we are independent and autonomous, there are brethren in other places. • There are times we can interact, recognize and encourage • Whatever recognition there is must be based upon truth (2 John 9 -11, 1 Cor. 1: 10, Gal 1: 2, Rev. 2: 7, etc. )

Aquila and Priscilla (19) • Workers with Paul. Met in Corinth (Ac. 18: 1 -3) Possibly converted by Paul. • They go with Paul to Ephesus (Ac. 18: 18 -19, 24 -26) Converted Apollos (Ac. 18: 27 -19: 1). Apollos goes to Corinth. • Church in their house - Rome (Rom. 16: 3, Ephesus (1 Cor. 16: 19)

Greeting one another (20) • All the brethren greet you • Greet one another with a holy kiss – a greeting of endearment. Similar to our handshake or perhaps a hug. We ought to care about and enjoy each other.

Paul’s Salutation (21) • Evidently, Paul had someone else write as he spoke. Cf. Rom. 16: 22 – Tertius • Typical of Paul – Gal. 6: 11, Col. 4: 18, 2 Thess. 3: 17, Philemon 19

Loving the Lord (22) • We need to love the Lord 1 John 4: 19, 1 Pet. 1: 7 -8, John 14: 15 • The word love is φιλέω, (phileo) – a term of affection • Our relationship with the Lord must be real! Feelings are genuine – care, humility, gratitude, etc.

Loving the Lord (22) • If not, “Let him be accursed” ἀνάθεμα, (anathema) – to be put under a curse, cut off cf. Gal. 1: 8 -9, • Heb. 10: 31, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”

O Lord, come (22) • ἀνάθεμαθά, (maranatha) • Means, “O Lord Come” • Possibly attached to previous word

O Lord, come (22) • If as written, should be the desire of every Christian • His final return – 2 Pet. 3: 10 -12 • That the Lord’s will prevail in the things discussed • That He be with us – cf. Rev. 3: 20

Benediction (23 -24) • Benediction means – an invocation for God’s help especially at the conclusion of a letter or lesson. • “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all” – typical closing. • Even with a church burdened with these problems Paul desires what is best for them.

Benediction (23 -24) • “My love be with you all in Christ Jesus” • Paul always writes his letters out of love – even though at times they are harsh. He will explain this in 2 Cor. 11: 28, 6; Gal. 4: 6, etc.

MAY WE LEARN FROM THIS LETTER… …what the church of Christ is and strive to be what He would have us to be here in Bellflower!