📖WEB · 1 Corinthians 16:21
What does 1 Corinthians 16:21 mean?
"This greeting is by me, Paul, with my own hand."
— 1 Corinthians 16:21 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge those who are like that.
The assemblies of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you much in the Lord, together with the assembly that is in their house.
All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
This greeting is by me, Paul, with my own hand.
If any man doesn’t love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. Come, Lord!
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Explanation
This brief verse comes at the very end of Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church, right before his closing words of blessing and warning. In plain language, Paul is telling the Corinthians that although the rest of the letter was likely written by a scribe taking dictation, this final greeting is written in Paul's own handwriting, as a personal signature to close out the letter.
In the ancient world, it was common practice for someone composing a letter to dictate it to a secretary, or amanuensis, who would do the actual writing. This was especially true for lengthy, detailed letters like 1 Corinthians, which addresses many complex issues in the Corinthian church—divisions, immorality, lawsuits, marriage, spiritual gifts, the resurrection, and more. Once the scribe finished writing, the author would often add a short greeting or
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