The churches in the province of Asia
send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so
does the church that meets at their house. All the brothers and sisters here
send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I, Paul, write this
greeting in my own hand. If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be
cursed! Come, Lord! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love to all of
you in Christ Jesus. Amen. I Corinthians 16:19-24
Paul closes his letter with an
epilogue of sorts – what we might call a post script. These verses give us an
inside look at the relationships among the people of God, what Peter described
as a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation (I Pet. 2:9). The
greetings sent are heartfelt and tender.
The unity and solidarity of the
community reverberates in Paul’s passionate defense of our Lord. Although it
seems harsh, he is only reiterating what our Lord said, that those who reject
the unconditional love, unending grace and ultimate sacrifice of God’s only son
are cursed already (John 3:18).
Finally, Paul begs for the coming
of the Kingdom of God in its fullness, the second coming of our beloved Lord. The
combined voice of the global church cries out yet louder today, “Even so, come,
Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20).
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