Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 16:22
If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be under a curse. Come, O Lord!
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church at the conclusion of his letter, placing this statement as the third-to-last line between his personal autograph in 1 Corinthians 16:21 and the final benediction in 1 Corinthians 16:23.
The words — φιλεῖ (philei) = loves; κύριον (kurion) = Lord. The Greek construction places the condition of loving Jesus Christ immediately before the declaration of a curse.
The thread — The text connects to Ephesians 6:24, which ties grace to those who love Jesus Christ, and John 14:21, which equates keeping commandments with loving Jesus. The phrase "Come, O Lord!" aligns with the early church's eschatological expectation rather than a later devotional tradition.
Why it lands — It requires the reader to verify their own affection for Jesus Christ against the stated warning. It directs the reader to adopt the communal prayer for Christ's return as the closing posture of faith.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maran-atha.
Cross-references
- Ephesians 6:24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
- John 14:21 Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”
- 1 John 4:19 We love because He first loved us.
- Matthew 10:37 Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;
- John 8:42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on My own, but He sent Me.
- 2 Corinthians 5:14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died.
- Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
- 1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves those born of Him.
- Revelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
- Romans 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood,