1 Corinthians 16:22

My Notes

What Does 1 Corinthians 16:22 Mean?

1 Corinthians 16:22 is the most jarring sentence in Paul's letter — dropping like a thunderclap into the middle of personal greetings and travel plans. "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha." Two words from two languages, placed side by side, creating a sentence that fuses judgment and hope.

"If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ" — ei tis ou philei ton kurion. The verb phileō means to love, to have affection for, to be devoted to. The condition is simple and devastating: if anyone does not love Jesus. Not if anyone commits a specific sin. Not if anyone breaks a particular rule. If anyone doesn't love the Lord. The ultimate spiritual failure isn't immorality. It's the absence of love for Christ.

"Let him be Anathema" — ētō anathema. Anathema is the Greek translation of the Hebrew cherem — devoted to destruction, set apart for divine judgment, cursed. The person who doesn't love Christ is placed under the most severe sentence the New Testament can pronounce.

"Maranatha" — an Aramaic phrase that means either "Our Lord has come" (maran atha) or "Our Lord, come!" (marana tha). The first reading is a confession of faith. The second is a prayer for Christ's return. Either way, the juxtaposition with anathema is striking: judgment on those who don't love Christ, followed immediately by the cry for Christ to come. The two belong together — because when Christ comes, the judgment and the love are both resolved. Maranatha is both a warning and a prayer.

Reflection Questions

• 1.If the test isn't doctrine or behavior but love — do you genuinely love Jesus? How do you know?
• 2.How does Paul placing lovelessness toward Christ as the ultimate failure challenge religious systems built on performance?
• 3.What's the relationship between anathema (judgment) and maranatha (come, Lord) — why do they belong together?
• 4.Has your faith become duty without affection? What would reignite actual love for Christ?

Devotional

If you don't love Jesus, you're under a curse. And then immediately: come, Lord.

The sentence is so abrupt it almost feels misplaced — tucked between "the churches of Asia salute you" and "my love be with you all." Personal greetings, then a curse, then personal affection. Paul doesn't ease into it. He doesn't soften it. He drops it and moves on. And the brevity is the weight.

The condition isn't doctrinal precision. It isn't moral performance. It isn't church attendance or theological knowledge. It's love. Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ? Not admire Him. Not agree with Him. Not include Him in your spiritual toolkit. Love Him — with the kind of phileō that means personal affection, warmth, devotion. The absence of that love, according to Paul, is enough to invoke the heaviest word in the Greek theological vocabulary: anathema.

That should shake loose any version of Christianity that's been running on duty instead of affection. You can do all the right things and still be under the curse if the love isn't there. Obedience without love is performance. Theology without love is academics. Religion without love for Christ is the very condition Paul is cursing.

Maranatha. Come, Lord. It's both an invitation and an ultimatum. When Christ comes, the lovelessness is exposed and the love is vindicated. The prayer for His return is the prayer that settles everything. If you love Him, maranatha is the best news in the world. If you don't — it's the worst.

Do you love Him?

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture