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113 lines
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<h2><a onclick="return mV('1Cr',16,'1-');">1Cr 16</a> - A Collection and a Conclusion</h2>
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<p>A. The collection for the Jerusalem church.</p>
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<p class="c1">1. (<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',16,'1-2');">1-2</a>) Receiving the collection.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first <i>day</i> of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Now concerning</span></b> is used again in this letter (see also <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',7,1);">1Cr 7:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',8,1);">8:1</a> and <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',12,1);">12:1</a>). It means Paul is replying to something the Corinthian Christians were asking about.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">The collection for the saints</span></b>: Paul is referring to a collection he was gathering for the <b><span class="c3">saints</span></b> in Jerusalem. In several other passages it speaks of this effort among many different churches to help the poor Christians in Jerusalem (<a onclick="return mV('Act',11,'27-30');">Act 11:27-30</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Act',24,17);">24:17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',15,26);">Rom 15:26</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',8,13);">2Cr 8:13</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',9,'9-12');">9:9-12</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">i. <b><span class="c3">As I have given orders to the churches of Galatia</span></b>: Paul mentioned his heart for the poor Christians in Jerusalem in <a onclick="return mV('Gal',2,'9-10');">Gal 2:9-10</a>. "The business of relieving the poor members of the church, is a moral duty, a sacrifice with which God is well pleased, <a onclick="return mV('Phl',4,18);">Phl 4:18</a>; our faith must work by this love." (Poole)</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. Why was the church in Jerusalem so needy? There may be many reasons. We know they supported a large number of widows (<a onclick="return mV('Act',6,'1-6');">Act 6:1-6</a>) and were in the midst of famine (<a onclick="return mV('Act',11,'27-30');">Act 11:27-30</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">iii. Generally, Christians have excelled in these efforts of practical ministry. For example, why do you think the Red Cross is named the Red <i>Cross</i>? It started as a Christian organization.</p>
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<p class="c5">iv. Some have thought that because Christians are commanded to help the poor, especially Christians in need, that this is more important than supporting ministers of the gospel. But Paul, in <a onclick="return mV('1Ti',5,'1-');">1Ti 5</a>, speaks of the responsibility of the church to <i>honor widows</i>, and to consider ministers of the gospel <i>worthy of double honor</i>. So, while Christians have a responsibility to help the poor, it does not come before the responsibility to support ministers of the gospel.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. General principles from the Bible for supporting the poor in the church:</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Benevolence distribution is a potential source of conflict and division, and it is the job of deacons to prevent such problems by their wise, Spirit-led actions (<a onclick="return mV('Act',6,'1-7');">Act 6:1-7</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. The church has an absolute obligation to help the truly needy (<a onclick="return mV('Jam',1,27);">Jam 1:27</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">iii. The church must discern who the truly needy are (<a onclick="return mV('1Ti',5,3);">1Ti 5:3</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">iv. If one can work to support himself, he is not truly needy and must provide for his own needs (<a onclick="return mV('2Th',3,'10-12');">2Th 3:10-12</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Ti',5,8);">1Ti 5:8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Th',4,11);">1Th 4:11</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">v. If one can be supported by their family, he is not truly needy, and should not be supported by the church (<a onclick="return mV('1Ti',5,'3-4');">1Ti 5:3-4</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">vi. Those who are supported by the church must make some return to the church body (<a onclick="return mV('1Ti',5,5);">1Ti 5:5</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Ti',5,10);">10</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">vii. It is right for the church to examine moral conduct before giving support (<a onclick="return mV('1Ti',5,'9-13');">1Ti 5:9-13</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">viii. The support of the church should be for the most basic necessities of living (<a onclick="return mV('1Ti',6,8);">1Ti 6:8</a>).</p>
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<p class="c4">d. The Greek word for <b><span class="c3">collection</span></b> is <i>logia</i>. It means, "an extra collection," one that is not compulsory. This was not a "tax" upon the Christians of Corinth. They were free to give as their heart directed them.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. It is also possible that the sense of "an extra collection" refers to the idea that this was a collect to receive gifts <i>above</i> their regular giving. Paul may be receiving a special offering for the poor of Jerusalem.</p>
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<p class="c4">e. <b><span class="c3">As I have given orders...so you must do also</span></b>: For Paul, this was not an option. The Corinthian Christians were responsible to take an offering among themselves for the needs of the poor Christians of Jerusalem. They could not say, "Money is unspiritual. We will just pray for them."</p>
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<p class="c5">i. The commandment coupled with the idea of "an extra collection" shows that they were commanded to take an offering, but not every Christian was commanded to individually give. They had to give as God put it on their heart to give.</p>
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<p class="c4">f. <b><span class="c3">On the first day of the week</span></b>: Paul wanted their giving to be <i>systematic</i>, not haphazard. When they came together for worship and the word, they were commanded to receive an offering at the same time.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. <b><span class="c3">The first day of the week</span></b> also refers to the fact that early Christians met on Sunday, not the Sabbath. They were not against meeting on the Sabbath; they just knew that all days were alike to the Lord (<a onclick="return mV('Col',2,'16-17');">Col 2:16-17</a>), and wanted to celebrate the day Jesus rose from the dead (<a onclick="return mV('Luk',24,1);">Luk 24:1</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. "It is plain from hence, that the gospel churches were wont to assemble upon that day; nor do we read in Scripture of any assembly of Christians for religious worship on any other day." (Poole)</p>
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<p class="c5">iii. "When the question was propounded, 'Hast thou kept the Lord's day?' The answer was returned, 'I am a Christian, I can do no less than keep the Lord's day.' But the world is now grown perfectly profane, and can play on the Lord's day without book; the sabbath of the Lord, the sanctified day of his rest, is shamelessly troubled and disquieted." (John Trapp, writing in 1647)</p>
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<p class="c4">g. <b><span class="c3">Let each one of you</span></b>: Who was supposed to give? <b><span class="c3">Each one</span></b>. Paul wanted all to give. Every Christian should be a giver, because God is giver (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',3,16);">Jhn 3:16</a>).</p>
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<p class="c4">h. <b><span class="c3">Lay something aside, storing up</span></b> has the idea of coming to church with your gift already prepared. In other words, you should seek God about your gift at home, and prepare it at home. This makes one seek the Lord more in their giving, and helps them resist any manipulation to give.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Commentators Fee, Vincent, and Robertson all agree that Paul intends that each one should gather his money for giving at his own home.</p>
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<p class="c4">i. <b><span class="c3">As he may prosper</span></b> means that believers who have more should give more. We should give proportionately; that is, if you give $10 a week when you make $100 a week, you should give more money when you make more money.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. We shouldn't fear giving generously. <a onclick="return mV('Pro',11,24);">Pro 11:24</a> is a great commentary on this idea: <i>There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty</i>. No one thinks a farmer is "wasting" grain when he scatters it as seed; the more he plants, the more he will harvest.</p>
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<p class="c4">j. <b><span class="c3">That there be no collections when I come</span></b> means Paul didn't want to manipulate anyone! He wanted giving to be from the heart, as the heart heard from God, not in response to a high-pressure fund-raiser.</p>
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<p class="c1">2. (<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',16,'3-4');">3-4</a>) Sending the gift to Jerusalem.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>And when I come, whomever you approve by <i>your</i> letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Whomever you approve by your letters, I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem</span></b>: Paul wanted a representative from the Christians in Corinth to deliver the gift to Jerusalem. And, the Corinthian Christians could choose their own representative. Paul did this to be above reproach in all financial matters.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Your gift</span></b>: literally, Paul calls giving a <i>charis</i> – a grace, a gift freely given. Paul calls it a <i>grace</i>, "because it flowed from their free love towards their poor brethren...or because their sense of the free love and grace of God to them, was that which moved them to that charitable act." (Poole)</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Sometimes Paul called giving a <i>koinonia</i>, which means "fellowship, sharing" (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',8,4);">2Cr 8:4</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',9,13);">9:13</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',15,6);">Rom 15:6</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. Sometimes Paul called giving a <i>diakonia</i>, which means "a practical service or ministry" (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',8,4);">2Cr 8:4</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',9,1);">9:1</a>, <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',9,'12-13');">12-13</a>).</p>
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<p>B. Concluding words.</p>
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<p class="c1">1. (<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',16,'5-9');">5-9</a>) Paul's plan to visit the Corinthian Christians.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits. But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me, and <i>there are</i> many adversaries.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">If the Lord permits</span></b>: Paul leaves all his plans up to the will of the Lord. He planned to go through the region of <b><span class="c3">Macedonia</span></b>, visiting Corinth. But things happened differently than he had planned. Instead of what he had planned, Paul made a soon, painful visit to Corinth to personally confront them in some areas.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. "I know the fascination of having a programme, and having everything in order, and knowing where we are going; but let us leave room, at any rate, for the interference of God." (Morgan)</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">I will tarry in Ephesus...for a great and effective door has opened to me</span></b>. Why didn't Paul go to Corinth immediately? Because he sees that God had given opportunity <i>now</i> in Ephesus. Paul wisely relied not only on his own desires, but also on God's open doors. <span > </span>Paul knew the secret of <i>directed service</i>.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries</span></b>: Paul also knew that <i>opposition</i> often accompanies <i>opportunities</i>. <a onclick="return mV('Act',19,'1-');">Act 19</a> speaks of both the opportunities and opposition Paul had in Ephesus at this time.</p>
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<p class="c1">2. (<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',16,'10-11');">10-11</a>) Timothy's coming to Corinth.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>Now if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also <i>do</i>. Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">See that he may be with you without fear</span></b>: Paul had trouble with the Corinthians Christians not respecting his authority as an apostle and as a minister of the gospel. What might they do to a young man like Timothy? So, Paul asks the Corinthian Christians to respect <b><span class="c3">Timothy</span></b> when he comes.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Let no one despise him</span></b>: This echoes Paul's later words to Timothy in <a onclick="return mV('1Ti',4,12);">1Ti 4:12</a>. Apparently, Timothy suffered from both a lack of confidence and a lack of respect. It was important for God's people to not take advantage of this in Timothy, and it was important for Timothy to never give others an occasion to <b><span class="c3">despise</span></b> him.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">That he may come to me</span></b>: Wherever Timothy was, he was on his way to see Paul, and would probably stop in Corinth on the way.</p>
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<p class="c1">3. (<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',16,12);">12</a>) Apollos will come to Corinth at a later time.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>Now concerning <i>our</i> brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">I strongly urged him...but he was quite unwilling...he will come when he has a convenient time</span></b>: Paul did not sit as a "commanding officer" over <b><span class="c3">Apollos</span></b>, who is mentioned among the apostles (<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',1,12);">1Cr 1:12</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',3,22);">3:22</a>). This gives a rare insight about how the early church leaders related to each other. It was not a hierarchical relationship and Paul did not dictate his will to Apollos.</p>
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<p class="c1">4. (<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',16,'13-14');">13-14</a>) Instructions to stand fast and to love.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all <i>that</i> you <i>do</i> be done with love.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong</span></b>: In a sense, each of these mean the same thing, simply saying it in a different way. Christians are to be like strong soldiers, on guard, watching for their Lord's return.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Jesus commanded us to <b><span class="c3">watch</span></b> (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',24,42);">Mat 24:42</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mat',26,41);">26:41</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mar',13,37);">Mar 13:37</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. Paul warned Christians to <b><span class="c3">stand fast</span></b> in their liberty in Jesus (<a onclick="return mV('Gal',5,1);">Gal 5:1</a>), in Christian unity (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',1,27);">Phl 1:27</a>), in the Lord Himself (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',4,1);">Phl 4:1</a>), and in the teaching of the apostles (<a onclick="return mV('2Th',2,15);">2Th 2:15</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">iii. This is the only place in the New Testament where the word translated <b><span class="c3">be brave</span></b> is used (<i>andrizomai</i>). Literally, it means "to act like a man." <b><span class="c3">Be brave</span></b> in the King James Version is <i>quit you like men</i>. That is a good, accurate translation of the idea behind the Greek word.</p>
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<p class="c5">iv. Christians are told to <b><span class="c3">be strong</span></b> in passages like <a onclick="return mV('Eph',6,10);">Eph 6:10</a> and <a onclick="return mV('2Ti',2,1);">2Ti 2:1</a>.</p>
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<p class="c5">v. "The terms in this verse are all <i>military</i>: <i>Watch ye</i>, watch, and be continually on your guard, lest you be surprised by your enemies...<i>Stand fast in the faith</i> – Keep in your ranks; do not be <i>disorderly</i>; be determined to keep your ranks <i>unbroken</i>; keep <i>close</i> <i>together</i>...<i>Quit yourselves like men</i> – When you are attacked, do not <i>flinch</i>; maintain your <i>ground</i>; resist; press forward; strike home; keep compact; conquer...<i>Be strong</i> – If one company or division be opposed by too great a force of the enemy, strengthen that division, and maintain your position...summon up all your courage, sustain each other; fear not, for fear will enervate you." (Clarke)</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Let all that you do be done with love</span></b>: All the watching, all the standing fast, all the bravery, and all the strength the Corinthian Christians might show meant nothing without <b><span class="c3">love</span></b>. They were called to do all those things in a meek, humble spirit of love.</p>
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<p class="c1">5. (<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',16,'15-18');">15-18</a>) Concerning <b><span class="c3">Stephanas</span></b>, <b><span class="c3">Fortunatus</span></b> and <b><span class="c3">Achaicus</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>I urge you, brethren; you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and <i>that</i> they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints; that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with <i>us</i>. I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. These were the three men who brought the questions of the Corinthian Christians to Paul. Paul asks that as they are sent back by him with his letter, they be received as devoted servants of the Lord.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Apparently, <b><span class="c3">Stephanas</span></b> was the head of the household, and <b><span class="c3">Fortunatus</span></b> and <b><span class="c3">Achaicus</span></b> were two household slaves of his, who accompanied him on his journey to see Paul. <b><span class="c3">Fortunatus </span></b>and <b><span class="c3">Achaicus</span></b> were common names for slaves or freedmen (former slaves).</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. <b><span class="c3">Fortunatus</span></b>: "This man is supposed to have survived St. Paul; and to be the same mentioned by Clement in his epistle to the Corinthians, sec. 59, as the bearer of that epistle from Clement at Rome to the Christians at Corinth." (Clarke)</p>
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<p class="c4">b. Paul was especially grateful for their coming, because they ministered to Paul's needs when they visited (<b><span class="c3">they refreshed my spirit</span></b>), doing what the Corinthian church should have, but did not (<b><span class="c3">what was lacking on your part they supplied</span></b>).</p>
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<p class="c4">c. Paul could call the <b><span class="c3">Stephanas</span></b> the <b><span class="c3">firstfruits of Achaia</span></b> because they were among the first saved in that region, and were baptized by Paul himself (<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',1,16);">1Cr 1:16</a>).</p>
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<p class="c1">6. (<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',16,'19-20');">19-20</a>) Greetings from afar.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Aquilla and Priscilla</span></b> were a married couple who ministered with Paul at Corinth (<a onclick="return mV('Act',18,'1-3');">Act 18:1-3</a>, <a onclick="return mV('Act',18,'24-28');">24-28</a>). Now, they were in Ephesus with Paul, and send their greetings to the Corinthian Christians.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">The church that is in their house</span></b>: The early church met in houses, because they had no meeting places of their own until the third century.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Clarke on <b><span class="c3">the church that is in their house</span></b>: "That is, the <i>company of believers</i> who generally worshipped there. There were no <i>churches</i> or <i>chapels</i> at that time built; and the assemblies of Christian were necessarily held in private houses...The house of <i>Philemon</i> was of the same kind; <a onclick="return mV('Phm',1,2);">Phm ver. 2</a>. So likewise was the house of <i>Nymphas</i>, <a onclick="return mV('Col',4,15);">Col 4:15</a>."</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. Morris notes that the entertaining room in a moderately well to do household could hold about 30 people comfortably. Therefore, in any given city, there were probably many different "house churches."</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">Greet one another with a holy kiss</span></b>: Jewish custom and early church tradition indicate that the <b><span class="c3">holy kiss</span></b> was a common greeting in that culture.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Trapp on <b><span class="c3">holy kiss</span></b>: "Not hollow, as Joab and Judas; not carnal, as that harlot, <a onclick="return mV('Pro',7,13);">Pro 7:13</a>."</p>
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<p class="c1">7. (<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',16,'21-24');">21-24</a>) Paul's personal, final words.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>The salutation with my own hand; Paul's. If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ <i>be</i> with you. My love <i>be</i> with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">With my own hand</span></b>: Paul had a secretary write the letters as he dictated them. Often he would add a personal note at the end in his own hand-writing (which seemed to be poor, according to <a onclick="return mV('Gal',6,11);">Gal 6:11</a>).</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed</span></b>. Paul again stresses the importance of love, pronouncing a heavy curse on those who have the talk of commitment to Jesus, but no love for Him.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. How can we tell if some does or <b><span class="c3">does not love the Lord Jesus Christ</span></b>? "Love is an affection of the heart, but discernible by overt acts." (Poole)</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. <b><span class="c3">Accursed</span></b> uses the Greek word <i>anathema</i>. Paul said in <a onclick="return mV('Rom',9,3);">Rom 9:3</a> that he was willing himself to be <i>anathema</i> from Jesus if it would accomplish the salvation of the Jews.</p>
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<p class="c5">iii. In fact, <i>anathema</i> was the third of three levels of discipline among the ancient Jews. The first level was a simple separation or a man from the synagogue for thirty days. If one did not repent in the thirty days, he was under the second degree of discipline, giving him still an undefined time to repent, but warning him of the dire consequences to come. The third level was the <i>anathema</i>, and with that all hope of reconciliation and repentance was cut off. The man could never be reconciled to the synagogue, and was no longer accounted as a Jew at all.</p>
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<p class="c5">iv. Clarke cites an ancient Jewish statement of <i>anathema</i>: "By the sentence of the Lord of lords, let P. the son of P. be anathematized in both houses of judgment; the superior and the inferior. Let him be anathematized among the highest saints; let him be anathematized among the <i>seraphim</i> and <i>ophanim</i>; and finally, let him be anathematized by all the congregations of the great and small! Let great and continual plagues rest upon him; with great and horrible diseases! Let his house be the habitation of dragons! And let his constellation be darkened in the clouds! Let him be for indignation, and wrath, and burning! Let his carcass be thrown to the wild beasts and serpents! Let his enemies and his adversaries triumph over him! Let his silver and gold be given to others! And let all his children be exposed at the doors of their enemies! And let posterity be astonished as his day...Let him be swallowed up like Korah and his companions! Let his soul depart with fear and terror! Let the chiding of the Lord slay him! In this anathema, let P. the son of P. be; and let this be his inheritance! But upon me and all Israel may God extend his peace and blessing, Amen." That is pretty strong! Yet, we can take comfort in Clarke's later comment: "The <i>anathema</i> of the apostle is denounced against him <i>only</i> who gives the <i>anathema</i> to <i>Christ</i>."</p>
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<p class="c4">c. How can we <i>grow</i> in our <b><span class="c3">love</span></b> for <b><span class="c3">the Lord Jesus Christ</span></b>? Samuel Rutherford, on how to grow in love to Jesus: "Strive to make prayer, and reading, and holy conference, your delight; and when delight cometh in, you shall, little by little, find the sweetness of Christ, till at length your soul be over head and ears in Christ's sweetness. Then shall you be taken up to the top of the mountain with the Lord, to know the delights of spiritual love, and the glory and excellency of a seen, revealed, felt, and embraced Christ; and then you shall not be able to loose yourself off from Christ, and to bind your soul to old lovers; then, and never till then, are all the paces, motions, and wheels of your soul in a right tune and spiritual temper. But if this world and the lusts thereof be your delight, I know not what Christ can make of you; you cannot be metal for a vessel of glory and mercy. My desire is that that Lord would give me broader and deeper thoughts to feed myself with wondering at his love. I would I could weigh it, but I have no balance for it. When I have worn my tongue to the stump in praising Christ, I have done nothing to Him. What remaineth then, but that my debt to the love of Christ lie unpaid for all eternity!" (Cited in Meyer)</p>
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<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">O Lord, come! </span></b><span > </span>Paul is looking for the return of Jesus. <i>Marana tha</i> is Aramaic for <b><span class="c3">O Lord, come!</span></b> This was one of the earliest words of the Christian vocabulary.</p>
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<p class="c4">e. <b><span class="c3">The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all</span></b>: The letter ends with a desire for grace and love towards the Corinthians. And Paul's final word (before the <b><span class="c3">Amen</span></b>) is <b><span class="c3">Jesus</span></b>. He has been emphasizing Jesus from beginning to end in this letter.</p>
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<p class="c4">f. Paul's final words, written with his own hand, do much to reveal his heart of love, even though he had to rebuke these Corinthians strongly. It was Paul's <b><span class="c3">love</span></b>, for both Jesus and His church, which made him such a great apostle.</p>
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