1 Corinthians 16:22
What does 1 Corinthians 16:22 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 16:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 16:22 means
Paul issues a sobering declaration: if anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be accursed. Then he adds, “Maranatha,” an Aramaic cry, “Our Lord, come.” Love for Jesus is not optional in the church; it is the line between blessing and judgment. This is no casual curse, but an apostolic warning that indifference to Christ is deadly. The invocation of the Lord’s coming highlights accountability and hope. The church lives before the returning Lord Jesus. Affection for him and anticipation of his appearing go together; both shape holiness and discern who truly belong to him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If any man loveth not the Lord, let him be anathema. Maranatha.
KJV
King James Version · 1611If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maran-atha.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If any man loveth not the Lord, let him be anathema. Maranatha.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If any man has not love for the Lord, let him be cursed. Maran atha (our Lord comes).
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862if any one doth not love the Lord Jesus Christ--let him be anathema! The Lord hath come!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752If any man love not our Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema, maranatha.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If any one love not the Lord [Jesus Christ] let him be Anathema Maranatha.
Context
Following warm greetings and Paul’s personal signature (vv.19–21), this stark line clarifies ultimate allegiance. It confronts Corinth’s earlier tendencies toward boasting in people or gifts by centering everything on love for the Lord. Immediately after, Paul will pronounce a benediction of grace (v.23) and affirm his love for them in Christ (v.24). The juxtaposition of warning and blessing reflects the gospel’s seriousness and kindness—judgment for rejecting Christ, grace and love for those who are his.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 25:45
Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of these least, ye did it not unto me.
- Ephesians 6:24
Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ witha loveincorruptible.
- John 14:21
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him.
- Isaiah 5:1
Let me sing for my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved had a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:
- Revelation 22:20
He who testifieth these things saith, Yea: I come quickly. Amen: come, Lord Jesus.
- 1 Peter 1:8
whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
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