1 Corinthians 16:22
If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
Original Language Analysis
φιλεῖ
love
G5368
φιλεῖ
love
Strong's:
G5368
Word #:
4 of 12
to be a friend to (fond of (an individual or an object)), i.e., have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling;
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριον
the Lord
G2962
κύριον
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
6 of 12
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
7 of 12
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἀνάθεμα
Anathema
G331
ἀνάθεμα
Anathema
Strong's:
G331
Word #:
10 of 12
a (religious) ban or (concretely) excommunicated (thing or person)
Cross References
Ephesians 6:24Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.John 14:21He 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 to him.1 John 4:19We love him, because he first loved us.1 John 5:1Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.Matthew 10:37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.John 8:42Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.Revelation 22:20He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.Hebrews 6:10For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.Romans 9:3For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:1 Peter 2:7Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
Historical Context
That Paul leaves maranatha untranslated suggests it was a familiar liturgical formula across early churches, even Greek-speaking ones. The Didache (late first century) ends the Eucharistic liturgy with "Maranatha," confirming its use in worship. This Aramaic preservation (like "Abba," "Amen," "Alleluia") connects Greek Christianity to Jesus's Aramaic-speaking disciples, providing linguistic continuity with the earthly Jesus.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Paul pronounce an anathema immediately after his personal greeting—what effect does this jarring contrast create?
- What's the significance of Paul preserving the Aramaic 'Maranatha' instead of translating it into Greek?
- How does the eschatological prayer 'Our Lord, come!' relate to the anathema on those who don't love Christ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema—Ei tis ou philei ton kyrion, ētō anathema (εἴ τις οὐ φιλεῖ τὸν κύριον, ἤτω ἀνάθεμα). Philei (φιλεῖ, "loves") differs from agapaō (ἀγαπάω), emphasizing affection and devotion. Anathema (ἀνάθεμα) means "accursed, devoted to destruction," translating Hebrew herem (חֵרֶם)—divine ban, ultimate rejection (Galatians 1:8-9, Romans 9:3). This shocking anathema follows Paul's tender personal greeting (v. 21), creating dramatic contrast. Love for Christ isn't optional; it's the essence of Christianity. Failure to love Jesus incurs divine curse.
Maranatha—Marana tha (μαρανα θα) is Aramaic, transliterated into Greek, meaning either "Our Lord, come!" (marana tha) or "Our Lord has come" (maran atha). Most scholars prefer the imperative: "Our Lord, come!" This reflects the earliest Christian prayer (Revelation 22:20, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus"). The Aramaic, Jesus's native language, preserved in Greek letters reveals primitive church liturgy. The juxtaposition—curse on Christ-rejecters, prayer for Christ's return—emphasizes eschatological urgency.